Celebs slam killing of nilgais in Bihar

Many are finding the viral video of an injured nilgai being buried alive by the driver of an earthmover in Turki village of Vaishali district quite revolting. The video showed that the driver was accompanied by a local official and other residents of the area. Reportedly, nilgais destroy crops in the area, causing a lot of loss to the farmers. CB Shukla, the local station house officer of the area, said, “A drive was carried out between August 27 and 31 to kill the antelopes, as they create a lot of problems for the farmers.However, burying the animal alive was not permitted.” Soon after, an FIR was lodged against the driver of the earthmover machine and a Hyderabad-based shooter, who shot the Nilgai. Forests department principal secretary Dipak Kumar Singh claimed that the standard operating procedure was not followed in the case as cruelty to the animal was evident. “A forest guard has been suspended and explanation has also been sought from the divisional forest officer concerned over the incident,” he said.
Soon after the video went viral, some national celebrities, including Raveena Tandon, Onir, Pooja Bhatt and Esha Gupta took to social media to slam the inhuman behaviour. Celebrities from Bihar, too, shared their take on it. Here’s what they told us...

Burying an antelope alive is really cruel. None of us have the right to harm any living being. Is killing the antelopes the right solution? I am absolutely against this step. The best way to get rid of the antelope menace is to inform the forest department so that they can do the needful. The government must take initiative to create awareness among people and guide them how to deal with such situations. The forest department, too, should educate villagers so that they can call them on spotting antelopes around.
— Pakhi Hegde, Bhojpuri actress

Wildlife conservationists should help save these animals. Like antelopes, many other animals, like crocodiles and leopards, caused harm to villagers. But the forest department had found a good solution for it. In this case too, some better steps can be taken so that neither are crops destroyed nor are nilgais killed’
— Sanjay Mishra, actor

It’s true that people in village areas are affected by the antelopes, as they destroy crops. But, killing them is not the solution. When this matter is highlighted, the government must take immediate steps to find the right solution. Maybe they can be relocated to wildlife sanctuaries and national parks just like other animals. Bihar has around 12 forest areas and some national parks too
— Pankaj Tripathi, actor

The nilgai menace is not new; they do damage a lot of crops. But killing them, and that too in a gruesome way is inhuman. We also have to see the way humans have encroached on jungles, leaving animals with no place to go. So, these animals can be tranquilised and relocated to wildlife sanctuaries like Valmiki National Park, Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary and Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, all of which are in Bihar.
— Neetu Chandra, actress

Heartless inhumane. Whoever behind this decision. hope karma gets back doublefold.
Raveena Tandon, actress
How can this be real?.... horrific. we encroach on their land and then kill them mercilessly when they run short of food. Nature won’t forgive us…
Onir, director
Fire this person? No. That’s certainly no cure to this sick mindset. He will do this to a child next. Majority of people who abuse animals end up abusing human beings as well. This needs to be taken up by the highest authorities. Action must be taken by the police.
Pooja Bhatt, actor-director
Trust me, even I don't want to see this, but we can't turn a blind eye towards cruelty
Esha Gupta, actress