Dr Kishore Oza
As the festive mood fills the air during Makar Sankranti, a shadow of horror looms over poultry and other animals, who are brutally killed to elevate the human celebratory spirit. The ‘excuse of tradition’ becomes their death knell. No true tradition advocates gambling or bloody extravaganzas, yet under the guise of so-called traditional ‘happy hours’ come brutal cockfights and horrific acts such as the throwing of helpless goats and lambs into cacophonous crowds, ending with the animals being ripped apart amidst thunderous cheers. These bloodbaths and the painful cries of animals remain unseen and unheard. Trillions of animals are butchered in the name of festivities.
Gambling and betting on animal fights have grave repercussions on the human psyche. The harmful secretions of adrenaline, cortisol, and excessive dopamine released during such events disturb the otherwise humane thought process, fostering a culture of cruelty and sadism among revelers and even their progeny. As innocent animals are forced to die, this brutality embeds itself into the societal fabric, making it crime-oriented and indifferent to the ‘anima’ factor—the essence of life and compassion.
The slaughter of animals often flagrantly violates various Animal Protection Laws, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Ban on Animal Fights, Article 21 of the Constitution, and Sections 428 and 429 of the IPC. The adage “Blood begets blood” becomes starkly evident in today’s society, where torments on innocence mirror the moral decline of humanity.
Despite these protections, little is done to curb these atrocities, and much more needs to be accomplished if society is to paint a truly humane picture of itself. Without urgent action, an impending moral and ecological doom awaits us.
This is a crucial moment when economic transformation should lead to ethical progress. Instead, the picture remains grim—a reflection of incongruent and incongruous thought processes. Animals and birds, products of animal husbandry, are doomed the moment they are born, with their untimely ends met at the hands of the butcher and on the reveller’s plate. The violence, blood, and cries of pain become part of the food humans consume, directly affecting their physical, mental, and social health.
It is high time for humanity to reflect and act. We must strive not only to live peacefully but also to ensure peace for all lives on the planet. Only then can we envision a world of true harmony and humane living.
About the Author: Having worked honorarily for animals and homeless animals, upholding the spirit of decent and humane living for all, and championing the cause of being a humane human for more than 35 glorious years in body, mind, and spirit, Dr Oza has enjoyed a fulfilling life—physically, mentally, and professionally.
Dr Oza is an animal activist and vegan. He is a distinguished scholar, holding multiple PhDs in English, Education, Business Administration, and Psychology. He is also a GraphoPsycho Physiognomy Analyst, a Professional Psychological Counsellor, a Forensic Handwriting Expert, and a Physiognomy Reader.
A highly sought-after TEDx Speaker and Professional Remedial Speaker on Psychoanalysis, Dr Oza serves as a Professor in the Department of Management at Netaji Subhas University, Jamshedpur. He combines his diverse expertise to deliver transformative insights, inspiring change and compassion in all his endeavours.
