SAVE HIRALAL

Babina Maha Utsav 2013  :  Save Hiralal !

Babina is a small town with population less than a lac but is on the map due to location of a major cantonment. The only famous thing in civil market is a shop of curtains for which people come from far and wide to purchase them. The town recently had a big mela organised by the locals who were  villagers and named it ‘Babina Mahautsav’.

  The area was full of colourful stalls, the train and magic shows. The display of utensils from steel to earthern pots, eatables from paani puri to Chinese noodles proved that the villagers are aware of what’s on in the cities. The most interesting  part was the show of Hiralal the donkey which stole the show. Hiralal was an intelligent donkey nicely trained and decorated who was the only hero of the arena where he moved in circles and performed to let its owner earn for his living with a ticket for Rs 10/- per person. All the audience surrounded the circle where he  performed with the ringmaster who stood in the middle of a circular tent holding a steel chain in his hands. Hiralal kept moving on the periphery of the circle. He was soon asked the first question,

“Who is the lady wearing a specs? “As he heard this he stopped near a lady who was wearing specs and not only that he pointed at her by touching with one of his ears. This was followed by claps by everyone. The smart donkey then again started to move like in a game of  musical chairs. While he was on the move a second question was asked by the ringmaster.

“Which boy is wearing a white shirt and a black trouser?”

The beautifully decorated donkey went and stood by a young boy who smiled and caressed him.A third question was followed,

“Which women is the  most faithful to her husband?”

He stopped and stood in front of one of the ladies and pointed her with his ear.The audience applauded again  while the lady happy with Hiralal’s  performance took out a Rs 10 note and tucked it on his forehead under his reins. Soon the next emotional question was asked

“Which person has liked the show the most?” 

The donkey came near me and pointed with his long ear. I also tug a Rs 10 note on his forehead. He moved ahead.

While he moved he stood for a few seconds when suddenly     
 was  whipped by the ringmaster and he galloped a few feet
 to avoid being hit by the chain. All the happiness gained in
the  show turned into anger as this was an inhuman act of
cruelty to the animal. Soon the show was over after he answered
 a few more questions correctly.

While the crowd dispersed I went to the ring master and asked him not to hit his donkey the way he tried as he earns him his bread and it is unlawful to do that. He replied that he whipped him for not letting him stop as he would have urinated otherwise.

Hum galti karne par hi maarte hai ( We hit only when he commits a mistake) he said in hindi.

“But still you should not do this to him as amounts to cruelty.” I replied him back and walked away knowing it would have a very little but some effect on him.

The show was nice but the amount of noise pollution which the donkey was subjected to by the DJ band and loudspeakers was not worthy rather it was sinful on his part to whip the obedient animal for answering  the call of nature.

 Such persons should be made aware of offences of cruelty against animals by the organisers and brought to books at least by the local administrations conducting the show. The poor animal cannot say this himself so it is incumbent on the real humans who witness this act to act as his advocate. Keeping silent and not ticking the person doing this would be like becoming devil’s advocate.

I hope this reaches the Animal Rights Association as soon as possible as such events will continue at some other place by the same person and Hiralal would have to perform again. The photos are the evidence of the event which took place at Babina Budh market grounds on 14Feb2013.