Rajahmundry: In a bizarre show of sycophancy, Congress leaders in West Godavari district tied doves to Diwali rockets which they then fired into the air at Kovvur on Saturday. They were ostensibly welcoming AP Congress president N. Raghuveera Reddy who had come to attend some local programmes.
As part of the welcome programme arranged by West Godavari Congress president, Md. Rafi Ulla Baig, Congress workers placed two doves in two cones made of chart paper and tied them to rockets which they fired into the air.
It is not known whether the doves escaped or suffered burns from sparks from the rockets or perished when the rocket exploded.
Reacting to this, Animal Welfare Board of India honorary animal welfare officer P.B.K. Aharyulu said, “The culprits should be booked under Section 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 2001.
The practice is highly unethical and even violates Article 51 of Indian Constitution where every citizen must be compassionate to birds and animals. I wonder what kind of message the Congress leaders intend to give to the young generation by resorting to such kind of cruelty to doves which represent peace.”
Experts say the practice used to exist some 50 years ago in villages.
