Street play raises awareness against cattle exploitation

Patna: City-based animal rights activists have been campaigning in the state capital for some time against the abuse of cows and buffaloes in the dairy sector. They have now turned to street plays at various locations across the city to raise mass awareness on animal protection, particularly for cattle.In this regard, the play titled ‘Maa Bolkar Dard Kyu Dete Ho’ was first staged last weekend at Gandhi Ghat (NIT Ghat) on the banks of the Ganga. The group repeated the performance on Sunday at the entrance of Shri Krishnapuri Park.“The play is a powerful method to expose the reality of the dairy industry in which cows and buffaloes are abused and exploited,” their spokespersons Rishika and Amjor said.In the play, some of the activists carried placards and posters with slogans as ‘Ditch milk’, ‘Their milk, not ours’ and others. Gau Rakshaks intervened to add a dramatic element to the play.The 10-minute play dispels the common arguments like milk is an integral part of our culture and its consumption is healthy. The play points out that there are alternative healthy nutritious food with calcium content. The play also points out that the plight of buffaloes is often ignored, even though their share in the contribution to the country’s milk production is 50%. They are even slaughtered in many parts of the country, narrated the play.“Cow protectors too are realising that humans do not need to consume animal products to stay healthy,” Rishika claimed.