Panaji: A dramatic protest by PETA India unfolded in the heart of Panaji on Friday, where a supporter of the animal rights group lay motionless between two large fish props to draw attention to the suffering of fish killed for food and urge people to go vegan.
The protest also sought to raise awareness about health concerns associated with eating fish. “They contain high levels of cholesterol, microplastics, arsenic, and mercury, all of which can lead to serious diseases, including cancer. These pollutants are present because our oceans and rivers are extremely polluted,” said Utkarsh Garg, PETA India’s campus coordinator.
Speaking about the collateral harm to marine life, Garg said that trillions of fish are killed globally every year, with many going to waste. “Along with fish, many non-target animals such as seals, sea birds, gulls, and sea turtles — many of which are protected by law — also get killed during fishing.”
“Fishes are just like human beings, they feel pain, they breathe, they have families — they are sentient beings. Killing them just for food is never okay. We are here to urge the people of Goa, of India, and the world to relate to the suffering of fish and to consider going vegan,” said Garg.
When asked about the relevance of veganism in a coastal state like Goa where seafood is central to the local diet, Garg said, “If you say you love fish, then truly love them. You can’t say you love humans and then eat them — it’s the same for fish. Fishes deserve life just like humans, dogs, cats, or cows. If the idea of eating a cat or a human seems horrible, then we must think about what fishes go through as well.”
“If we care about human rights, we must also care about animal rights,” he added. “They feel pain, they suffer, and they have the right to live.”
