Following an outcry from animal welfare organizations, including PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and PFA (People For Animals), the makers of Bigg Boss 18 have released the donkey Gadhraj from the show, marking him as the first evicted contestant of the season.
Bigg Boss 18 premiered on October 6, surprising viewers by introducing Gadhraj, also known as Max, as the 19th contestant. However, the rationale behind the donkey’s inclusion was unclear, and the move quickly drew criticism, with many pointing out the ethical concerns of keeping an animal in captivity for entertainment purposes.
PETA India raised the issue publicly, stating that using an animal in such a manner was harmful and inappropriate. The organization also addressed a letter to host Salman Khan, urging the release of Gadhraj. PFA echoed these sentiments, objecting to the donkey’s confinement and stressing the need for his removal from the show.
Responding to this pressure, the show’s producers released Gadhraj on Thursday, making him the first contestant to leave Bigg Boss 18. PFA confirmed the news on social media, thanking Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Chairperson of PFA, for her involvement. In a statement, PFA credited the community’s collective efforts for ensuring the donkey’s release.
In its letter to Salman Khan, PETA mentioned that they had received numerous complaints from the public, calling for Gadhraj’s freedom. The organization asked contestant Gunaratna Sadavarte, the donkey’s owner, to surrender Gadhraj to PETA India for relocation to a sanctuary, where he could live with other rescued animals.
Following the uproar, the decision was made to release Gadhraj, with no other evictions planned for this weekend. The situation highlights the importance of ethical treatment of animals, especially in the entertainment industry.
