Youth Highlight Reality of Dairy Industry Through Street Play

Pune: Against the backdrop of International Youth Day, young animal-rights activists from Pune Animal Liberation staged a street play outside the main entrance of Fergusson College on F.C. Road on Sunday. The performance was part of a campaign being conducted across 11 cities in the country.

The nearly 10-minute street play highlighted ethical concerns surrounding India’s dairy industry and urged citizens to reflect on the conditions of cows, buffaloes and their calves.

According to the organisers, the campaign was inspired by a discussion featured in a viral video related to Kaun Banega Crorepati. The press release mentioned a conversation between Amitabh Bachchan and contestant Siddharth Sharma on the ground realities faced by dairy animals. The video was reportedly viewed widely across the country.

The organisers said that issues related to the dairy industry are not limited to animal welfare but are also linked to public safety and the environment. They also referred to observations made by the Supreme Court regarding the abandonment of cows after they cease to produce milk. Abandoned animals on roads can lead to accidents and pose a serious concern for public safety, the organisers said.

“We chose the street-play format to communicate this issue directly and effectively to young people,” said programme organiser Pravin Giri. Young campaigner Pranjal said the objective of the performance was to bring the discussion around the dairy industry into the public space.

Meanwhile, the campaign has called for greater promotion of plant-based food systems in the interest of animals, citizens and the environment.