John Abraham Urges Nepal to End Elephant Abuse at Chitwan Festival

Kathmandu — Actor and film producer John Abraham has sent an urgent letter to Badri Prasad Pandey, Nepal’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, urging him to end the abuse of animals at the Chitwan Elephant Festival, where elephants are beaten into submission and forced to race, give rides, and “play” polo and football.

A copy of John Abraham’s letter

PETA Asia has exposed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSrv0P935u8) handlers at the late-December festival repeatedly hitting and jabbing elephants with bullhooks (weapons that resemble a fireplace poker with a sharp hook on one end), sticks, and makeshift wooden knives. One elephant was beaten for nearly a minute, and many suffered from deep, bloody wounds around their heads and ears. When not being forced to perform during the festival, the elephants are used for rides by tourists visiting Chitwan.

“These intelligent, sensitive animals endure immense physical and emotional strain during these games,” writes Abraham. “As someone who has witnessed the beauty of elephants in their natural habitat, I can tell you that they symbolise strength, grace, and wisdom. They are a national treasure in so many ways, and Nepal has the opportunity to lead the way in showing the world how to respect and protect these magnificent animals.”

Elephants are highly social animals who thrive in the company of their extended families. Births are joyous celebrations, and the deaths of loved ones are mourned. But elephants in captivity are deprived of everything natural and important to them and often exhibit obsessive, repetitive behaviors indicative of severe psychological distress.

Abraham concludes his letter with a request to Pandey to cancel the elephant games and steer Nepal “towards a future where traditions can evolve to reflect our shared values of kindness and respect for all living, feeling beings.”

“Nepal holds a special place in my heart, and I am confident that its bright future will be shaped by decisions that honour its people, wildlife, and unparalleled natural beauty,” Abraham writes.

PETA India—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETAIndia.com or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

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