Bigg Boss 18 kickstarted on October 6, taking viewers by surprise when the makers introduced a donkey called Gadhraj as the 19th contestant of the season. While this was seen as a social experiment, the idea behind Gadhraj’s participation in the show was not quite clear. But this move of the makers went quite wrong because the animal was kept in captivity and elicited objections from several animal welfare organisations too.

A few days back, PETA called out the makers and pointed out how using an animal for entertainment purposes was harmful and inappropriate. The organisation also wrote a letter to host Salman Khan. Another organization, PFA (People For Animals), also objected to Gadhraj being confined in the house. Following this, the makers decided to release the donkey from the show, making Gadhraj the first evicted contestant of the latest season.

Also Read: Bigg Boss 18: PETA asks host Salman Khan to ‘avoid using animals as props’ as a donkey becomes a part of the show

 

 

A post shared by OfficialPETAIndia (@petaindia) 

The donkey exited the show on Thursday itself and PFA also took to Instagram to confirm the news. The organistaion issued a statement saying that the donkey was released from the Bigg Boss house. They wrote on social media, “Thanks to Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Chairperson, People For Animals, for her intervention in this matter. This success was made possible through the collective efforts of everyone in the community who stood up for the donkey’s release.”

 

 

A post shared by People for Animals (PFA) (@pfa.official) 

Earlier this week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India wrote a letter to Salman Khan after they received complaints from people. The letter said, “We are being inundated with complaints by members of the public who are deeply distressed over the keeping of a donkey in the Bigg Boss house. Their concerns are valid and must not be ignored.” The letter urged Salman to request the makers to release the donkey and asked contestant Gunaratna Sadavarte to surrender the donkey to PETA India, to rehome in a sanctuary with other rescued donkeys.

Gadhraj is a pet of contestant Gunaratna, and it was reported that the advocate took him on the show. However, PETA in its letter pointed out that the “use of animals on a show set is no laughing matter, avoid using animals as props for entertainment.” This demand was made to avoid any stress on the animal and upset the audience.

Following this uproar, the makers released the donkey. With Gadhraj’s exit, it is reported that nobody else will leave the house this weekend.