The grand premiere of Bigg Boss 18 this Sunday introduced 18 new contestants to the beloved reality show, featuring a diverse lineup of TV actors, politicians, and social media influencers. However, it was the announcement of a “19th contestant” that captured the audience’s attention: a donkey named Gadhraj. The decision to include an actual animal in the Bigg Boss house has sparked mixed reactions, drawing both amusement and concern from viewers. Animal welfare organization PETA has also expressed outrage over the move.
On Wednesday, Shaurya Agrawal, an advocacy associate with PETA India, sent a letter to Bigg Boss host Salman Khan, highlighting the ethical implications of housing a donkey within the reality show. “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 stated. PETA India described the inclusion of the donkey as “distressing” and urged Salman to use his influence to surrender the animal to the organization for rehoming in a sanctuary with other rescued donkeys.
Instagram Post
View this post on Instagram
The letter emphasized that the use of animals on a show set is a serious matter and implored Salman to “avoid using animals as props for entertainment.” It noted that Gadhraj was brought into the house by contestant Advocate Sadavarte.
Reactions from the public have been polarized. While some viewers found the concept of a donkey in the house amusing, others voiced concern for the animal’s welfare. “The contestants are trapped there with their consent, but the donkey is not,” remarked one viewer on Reddit, highlighting the ethical dilemma surrounding the situation.
Bigg Boss 18
Bigg Boss 18, hosted by Salman Khan, began airing on Colors TV and JioCinema on October 6. The show sees contestants compete against each other while living together in a confined space for weeks, which raises questions about the treatment of any animals included in this environment.
As the controversy unfolds, the inclusion of Gadhraj has prompted discussions about the ethical treatment of animals in entertainment, forcing producers and viewers alike to reconsider the implications of using animals for the sake of reality television.