Video summary
The video documents an intervention by animal welfare activists at a fair in Himachal Pradesh where camels were being used for rides, raising significant concerns about illegal practices and animal cruelty. The activists discovered that the camel's mouth was illegally tied with flowers, which is prohibited under animal welfare laws, and immediately demanded its removal. They also inspected the equipment loaded onto the camel, revealing that the saddle alone weighed approximately 25 kilograms, bringing the total load to nearly 30 kilograms. This far exceeds the legal limit of 200 kilograms for the combined weight of the animal and passengers, posing a severe risk of injury or death to the creature. Despite the owners' claims that the camel was accustomed to this treatment since childhood, the activists emphasized that historical practices do not justify current abuse, especially when modern laws exist to protect these animals from pain and distress.
The conversation with the local contractors and camel owners highlighted a lack of awareness regarding the Performing Animals Rules of 2001, which mandates that any animal used in ticketed events must have explicit permission from the Animal Welfare Board. The activists explained that without this registration, operating such rides is illegal, yet many organizers continue these activities due to ignorance or a belief that tradition overrides the law. While the owners expressed willingness to stop gagging the camel and acknowledged the pain caused by improper handling, they admitted that their livelihood depended on these fairs, with earnings of around 5,000 rupees per day for ten days totaling 50,000 rupees. The activists offered financial assistance from their own pockets to cover any immediate losses incurred by stopping the illegal rides, ensuring that the workers would not suffer economically while transitioning away from harmful practices.
Beyond the immediate legal and physical issues, the video explores the ethical implications of using animals for entertainment in environments where they do not belong. The activists argued that camels are native to arid regions like Rajasthan and cannot survive or thrive in the climate of Himachal Pradesh, making their presence there inherently distressing. They questioned the necessity of animal rides when other forms of amusement, such as swings, were available for children, pointing out that causing pain to a mute animal for human enjoyment is morally wrong. The discussion extended to the broader societal impact, noting that educating the public and enforcing these laws would gradually reduce the demand for such rides, thereby shrinking the industry and giving dependent workers time to find alternative sources of income without compromising animal welfare.
Ultimately, the intervention served as both an educational moment and a call to action for stricter enforcement of animal protection laws across India. The activists stressed that while ignorance was once an excuse, continued negligence in the face of known regulations is no longer acceptable, especially after complaints have been lodged with authorities like the District Collector and police. They highlighted that every time someone chooses not to ride an animal or refuses to participate in such events, they contribute to a cultural shift away from exploitation. The video concludes with a hopeful vision where increased awareness leads to fewer animals being bred for entertainment purposes, ensuring that future generations can enjoy fairgrounds without the shadow of cruelty, proving that compassion and legal compliance can coexist even within traditional industries.
Read the full video transcript
This camel is not allowed. He is
not as upset with me as Ahmed has been.
We said it is a new thing.
Camel has arrived in Himachal. That's it, what else?
Its cost is ₹46,000. He also got ₹50,000.
This matter will escalate further by evening. We had
come to this fair yesterday also and we received a rescue call from here.
Why have you tied his mouth? These flowers are
tied for decoration. No. No.
It is illegal to gag.
You remove this. Is it a flower? Is he tying flowers?
Remove this. This is illegal.
Tell me, he ties flowers for decoration.
Hey, it is decorated so much, how much more needs to be decorated, there is a
danger of
animals,
so don't bring them here, such things should not happen,
this aunty is sitting,
everyone will sit together,
aunty, her legs are bad, don't sit,
come and see, come down, make the
children sit, aunty is sitting here,
aunty is
pinching her nose [music],
really this is the situation.
Friends,
we could not do much about it
because whatever is happening is illegal, but
here someone has already complained to the police and
DC sir as well but nothing has happened.
We did whatever we could.
Today we have come to check the same camel
again to see if its mouth has been tied
and let us also talk to the police once.
Because the police and
administration are not well aware of these animal welfare laws.
So let's see
what could happen. Where did Momin ji go
? Have gone to get
food. Have you gone to
eat? What is your name? Do
you live with them?
So what is the maximum total weight that can be loaded on it
?
Papa knows that, sir.
So is he your father? Yes.
Good. What would be the weight of the saddle they put on it
? The
same 2 kg.
Just two-three kilos. Can you see?
That's it. This weighs 2 kilos
sir, this is how much it weighs, it is
filled with oil, that is why it is heavy sir, now
look here, now look ahead, no no,
all this is put on it completely,
ask someone, I will come in a second, now you
can guess how many kilos it weighs, you
can check it further,
yes yes of course [music]
25
yes [laughs] 25
so
25 around 30, 25,
well, this is kept on top of it,
this is kept on top of the camel and people
also sit on it. What do
you think, meaning there can be no carnival without camels
?
No, This should not happen.
Aman, don't think that we are
angry with you. We are just worried about him.
Sir, you please look into it. These are our animals.
We keep more than we have. Thank you.
You told us not to tie our mouths. We will never
shut his mouth.
Thank you brother. This is good. I will never
tie it sir, ever. Look, there
is a simple rule. If you don't want it to be very
careful,
yes,
okay,
why do that to someone else which you don't want to happen to you? Now tell me one thing, like when
you people pull the leash, it must feel that
no sir, it moves like this, if you
take it out then it won't move
because it doesn't want to move,
in Rajasthan, they put it on the child itself,
sir, they do
put it in, but just because something is happening
since childhood, it doesn't mean that
it is right, tell me, if you put a leash on it
since childhood
and take it wherever you want with the rope, then it is
wrong,
sir, when something happens to its nose, it doesn't
hurt like this, we do
n't pull it at all, we use it loosely, if we do
n't put the leash on it, it will run away,
yes sir, it is
okay, and if there is a leash, it is moving with the leash,
yes sir, if we pull it lightly, it is
afraid that if you pull it, it will hurt, then only it
moves, only then it agrees, it doesn't
hurt so much, sir,
you are saying, you
can see, stand and see,
I am saying that you have kept it properly, at
least there is no wound
No sir, this is our livelihood. Yes sir, if there is a
wound, we will suffer a loss. When we
went to Mani Mahesh, the expenses there were very bad.
No sir, we don't do it like that sir.
How many hours does it last on the ride?
Three-four hours. Hey, we will decorate it at 5:00.
People will open it at 9:00, sir. Lasts for
4 hours. The law is
not strictly separating two things. Three
actually. Brother, you can't muzzle his mouth anymore.
Aman, who got it opened yesterday, is saying
that he will not do it again.
No, I won't do it now, sir. Now the mistake has happened. I wo
n't do it this time. I won't do it anywhere.
You can show it by video calling.
I took Papa's number. I also got it from my father using
your number.
Okay, thank you. I am
showing you through video call.
As long as you keep your mouth shut, you can do anything.
Taking a camel, no problem. We will
not gag you, sir.
Secondly, your weight on it
cannot be more than 200 kg. The third
thing is that they cannot be brought to a ticketed event
unless there is
permission from the Animal Welfare Board. So
we have to ask him whether he is here or
not. That I Guess contractor would know.
So do this once. Do you also ask people
what their opinion is? I
can ask you a question. You feel that there are
so many swings in this fair. There are different types
of entertainment. Is having an animal
necessary for rides
here?
Yes, anyone's hobby can be anything. If that
level is there then it is necessary. If you have a
hobby then it is necessary. But the reason it suffers is
because of
its history. And it continues like this.
We cannot say anything about this. Like if we talk about history, at one time there were
black people. They were slaves, so why would
anyone say that this is wrong for them? Those who have
kept him as a slave will say that he has come like this only.
This is a very big issue and
a movement, just like our India was also a
slave earlier. But when the revolution came and one
started. Then after that many people
even sacrificed their lives for this. Then
came independence. Nothing like this would happen in animals. No
one will do it.
Suppose we do. Will you support us or
oppose us? You will be
with me. Because they also have the same
thing as we have. Momin ji, it was very nice to
see that it did not have any wounds. Yes,
yes, that is carelessness. If someone is a little
careless about his animal, then he will definitely get
hurt. It is a mute animal, what will he
say?
This is one thing, but its saddle is
light, it is made of pipe and weighs
25 kg.
No, everyone, come and
see, we are eating it, it does
not keep cloth. Let me
tell you, there are two things,
one is the total weight, it is
not allowed to be more than 200 kg, so if the saddle is of
25 kg, then the people you are making sit on it,
if children are sitting on it, then it is
legally correct. But if
you make someone sit, I am not that person,
you will not make
me sit at all. We refuse it.
Ok. One and the second is that since you are
putting a ticket for it, it
requires permission from an Animal Welfare Board. Please
show us that permission. Till then we will
come back after talking to people.
ok sir. I'll connect you with the contractor.
You eat food. We have disturbed you.
Yes sir, no sir. Nothing like that. Let us go.
Brother, is the food good?
Meaning, is the food better than yours? [laughs]
Yeah, it's a great song, brother.
Yes brother, there is no reason. There are
many things in brotherhood. We are all made of that.
Yes, we have to remember that everything is
created by Him.
Yes, not just you and me,
yes, yes, [music]
that too, that too, I talk about everyone.
Ok let's go to the fair. They ask.
You saw here that camels have also come here
for camel ride. So you think that
since there are so many swings here and so many
other means of entertainment, is it
necessary to have an animal ride here
?
Yes, this is wrong. If
animals are tied up and made to do such things for entertainment, then
I think it is not right.
Someone has installed these swings, people just want to ride them.
If there are other sources of entertainment then
why is it not good to disturb him like this.
Its environment is not there, the
habitat is also different here. It is
not good here in Rajasthan. He will
not be able to survive properly here.
We have to show this and
tell the administration that people
want entertainment but not at the
cost of someone else. Do you think
this is right or wrong? The camel's presence here. It
is fine for children. I am enjoying myself. It
is wrong. It is wrong.
So the children are saying something else. What are the children
saying? It
is wrong.
Why is it wrong? It
is closed from here. Only then will we feel like we are
worshipping.
What? Yes. What a nice thing you said.
You were saying for the children.
Time for children's enjoyment, I am saying this for
children's enjoyment. Let me
tell you one more thing. I don't have children.
I ask you, as if children
naturally know that this is wrong. You have
not taught them this. Isn't it? But when
you make him sit on a camel instead of a swing for entertainment.
Somewhere
inside you is the right thing. It will be
wrong.
Yes.
That will be wrong.
What is your name?
Rihaan. Rihaan, we are asking that there is
a camel here too, you are using it for riding. Is
he right or wrong? It
is wrong.
Why?
He should not do this because it
affects animals too and it causes pain. Thank
you. So you know Vihaan does
n't know anything about law. Isn't it?
He did not read any part on ethics or morality. But he
knows one simple thing. They also feel pain
and causing pain is wrong.
You have further permission. It is going to the contractor only.
Come on, let's go with you.
Come with me.
How many fairs does it organize in a year? There are at
most five to six fairs in a year.
Your annual expenses are covered by five or six fairs.
Yes sir. The one gives it.
In this, the contractor who calls you
also comes less.
Yes sir. Yes. He gives half. Yes.
Half?
Yes.
Brother, my name is Robin. Here we do
animal rescue by doing People's Farm. This
camel is there and a ticket is being put on it, the
law says that it is not allowed unless
you have the permission of the Animal Welfare Board,
okay, so that
permission will be with you, the
camel owner, sir, the
camel owner is saying that it is the
responsibility of the contractor, the one whose goods it is will get it done, the one
whose truck it is, the
truck has not been damaged, he has taken it on rent,
now it is his responsibility to
complete the papers, the
contractor himself brought the permission,
brother, if you will do that then it
means you will get the swings also, so when it is the same
thing there, it goes to someone,
I have just stopped it, I just came to know that
SA sir is saying this, so he had
fitness but he did
not have it, I also said that stop it, till
your papers are not complete, I will
run it,
then what can they do, but it will be a loss, the
camera is his, it is
mine, then I will not see, so
you are the organizer,
so I will say right now that from next time onwards
you should not do this again
Because it is a strict law, let me
tell you what the law is basically. The Performing
Animals Rule is of 2001 because see,
neither the administration nor the
police, like you too, are aware of this law. There is
no awareness.
He called and said, brother, we have a camel.
I will book it. We said it is a new thing. Bring it
brother. There will be some traction among the public. I came
to Himachal. That's it, what else
?
So how many days has he been here now? It has been
two days.
How much is the earning per day?
So 10-15,000 have come. He has got 23000
vehicles. Whatever amount comes will be given.
Its cost is ₹46,000.
And how much is he earning per day?
Char is earning 5000.
Earning ₹5,000. And for how many days, apply it for
10 days. He also got Rs 50,000. Will
give you 25 out of 50.
Transportation is one-sided. It is
equal that neither I will get it nor he will get the food that
they eat. I
think you should not do this again if I am in a disturbed mood.
No sir, I am not as upset with myself as I am with
time.
How many days are left in total? What
is the date today? Are
left.
How much does he have to earn in four days?
₹20,000.
When it is in your hands. What to do? I don't have it.
Look, if it is there then it should not come even legally. I have
not come ethically either. But if the poor man does
not suffer any loss, what can be done for him
? I contribute 10,000 from my pocket.
You should finish investing Rs 10,000 because this matter will
escalate further by evening. Get it
closed, that will be better.
Where is Abhishek? Where is the whole thing? Turn it off.
Ok.
Less won't do.
If something happens tomorrow or something happens
? Is there some policy? Don't have a policy?
You do not have to get yourself registered with the Animal Welfare Board. Get that done.
If it works out then it is fine,
otherwise Jai Ram wherever
you go, you should either ask them to get the registration done with the Animal Welfare
Board
or you get it done, it is
fine, isn't it,
because there was a time when people were not aware,
now like here if someone was aware and
he complained then action was taken, if he does
n't do it then the eyes are closed, it is going on, it is
going on, in
Hindustan at least there are 100 people involved in this, it is going on everywhere,
now there will be problem everywhere, brother,
what am I saying, once it starts then it will
go till the end, it is fine, it should be, friend,
I myself say that there are more
fans right now, brother,
Momi ji, whatever
loss you are facing, I will give
you something from my pocket, no, nothing for
you, oh no friend,
thank you, you were thinking that the
contractor has the
permission, they are saying that you have it,
no, I don't have the permission either, I
told them in front of them, it is the contractor who asks for the permission
wherever we go, yes, I
say
only what I know, yes, the simple thing is that
you should do some calculations yourself
Yes sir, that's it, I will calculate it and take it with me.
If you are facing any loss,
you have my number because look, you
are a good man, you have kept the camel well,
you did not know the law,
neither did the contractor know, this mistake happened, so that you do not suffer any
loss, whatever little amount is there,
I will bear it from my pocket, oh no no no, hey, listen listen listen listen,
you said brother, I have it, if there is any problem,
you tell me, you have my number, give me the
number, you
write it down, it is 9811, right, yes
this is Robin Singh. [MUSIC]
Now let me tell you that you don't know what
we do. We
run a hospital where we treat injured animals.
So now whatever money comes from the video gets
donated there. But
whatever money comes from this video,
we will give it to you on Zee Pay.
No, no, that's not the point. There is no such thing in Bhai Bandi. We will
not let you suffer any loss. No no no, it's okay.
Look at the loss, it is written in his hand,
he gives the profit and loss, whatever he agrees to, that is what happens, there is nothing
beyond this,
this is what I know,
thank you, what
you were saying to me was that between human emotion
[music] and animal emotion [laughter],
I am saying that now people like Momin ji do
not know that what they are doing is
abuse. He has seen the same thing since childhood.
This is normal for them. But
we have to think about the animal. Now we are
thinking about animals. It will go away. If they suffer loss then it just does
n't look good. [laughter] It does
n't feel good.
It's like it doesn't feel good.
Look, even after reaching home, this camel will have to go to other fairs.
But due to these awareness
efforts, as people
understand that animals get disturbed due to riding,
they will refrain from riding animals. At the same time,
when people like you and me create legal hurdles in the way of riders,
fewer new people will
want to enter this business. Fewer animals
will breed and fewer animals will travel. And because this
change will come slowly. So those people who are already
dependent on this work for their income will get
time to find a new way to earn money.
Hmm