Maharashtra politician Rohit Pawar from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) finds himself at the centre of a peculiar controversy. PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) India has written to the Election Commission and sought action against the MLA for showing and dangling a live crab at a press conference on April 1 in Pune.
In the complaint, the nonprofit says that this incident violates The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Maharashtra Model Code of Conduct, an order issued by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer on 24 March 2014 prohibiting the use of animals for election campaigning, the Election Commission of India (ECI) Manual on Model Code of Conduct, and a letter issued by the ECI on 19 September 2012.
PETA India has also written to MLA Rohit Pawar to request that he hand over the crab to the group for veterinary care and rehabilitation back into nature.
The nonprofit had also written to NCP(SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and district election officer Minal Kalaskar. “It’s evident from the video that Shri Pawar’s use of the crab was preplanned. For a media stunt, unnecessary pain and suffering were caused to the animal. Research shows that crabs are intelligent individuals who can experience pain and suffer. They explore their surroundings, have good memories, and communicate with each other,” it said.
On April 1, Rohit Pawar in a press conference accused the state government of a Rs 6,000 crore ambulance scam. He was trying to explain the issue of public health, for which he dangled a live crab with a small string. This act of Rohit Pawar was criticised by animal lovers, PETA and other groups, as well as parties like the BJP.
Shweta Shalini, BJP leader, said on the microblogging website X: “Dear @MenakaGandhi ji & @PetaIndia That crab is Alive! So much for Ethical Treatment of Animals. For someone like @RRPSpeaks ji whose livelihood is ‘broiler Chicken’ this is certainly no cruelty.”
ECI in response to a PETA India appeal in 2012 issued an advisory instructing all political parties to refrain from using animals in political campaigns. In a 2013 notification, the State Election Commission of Maharashtra prohibited the use of donkeys, bulls, elephants, and cows during election campaigns and also instructed authorities to take strict action against anyone violating animal protection laws.
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