October 14, 2024: Bigg Boss 18 launched on October 6 with a unique twist, introducing a donkey named Gadhraj as the 19th contestant of the season. While many viewers were intrigued by this social experiment, the inclusion of an animal in the house soon faced heavy criticism. The donkey’s confinement sparked outrage from several animal welfare organisations, leading to its eventual release from the show.
Pressure from Animal Rights Groups:
Animal rights organisations, including PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and PFA (People For Animals), strongly opposed the use of Gadhraj for entertainment purposes. PETA India raised concerns about the ethics of keeping an animal in captivity for such a format, even sending a letter to show host Salman Khan. The letter emphasised that many members of the public were “deeply distressed” by the donkey’s inclusion in the show and urged for its immediate release.
PFA also voiced objections, stating that the conditions were harmful to the donkey. The organisation’s efforts, led by chairperson Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, played a crucial role in securing Gadhraj’s freedom.
Gadhraj’s Eviction:
In response to the public outcry and intervention by animal rights organisations, the makers of Bigg Boss 18 decided to evict Gadhraj from the show. The donkey was officially removed on Thursday, becoming the first “contestant” to be evicted this season. PFA confirmed the news on social media, thanking everyone for their collective efforts in securing Gadhraj’s release.
PETA’s letter had also urged contestant Gunaratna Sadavarte to surrender the donkey, allowing it to be rehomed in a sanctuary where it could live with other rescued donkeys.
With Gadhraj now gone, reports suggest that no human contestants will be evicted from the Bigg Boss house this weekend.
