PETA protests "Jallikattu," 'blindfolds' Gandhi statue

Coimbatore, Jan 16 (UNI) People for Ethical Treatment of Animal (PETA) today held a novel protest against ''Jallikattu'' (taming of bulls) by covering the eyes of a Gandhi Statue here today with a black cloth.

Talking to UNI here, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk from the US said, ''I am horrified that Tamil Nadu -- where I went to school as a little girl -- is the scene of violence and cruelty to bullocks for the sole and selfish purpose of fun.

''There are bad traditions and good ones worldwide and this is a blot on the state,'' she added.

Earlier, Newkirk and PETA Campaign Manager N G Jaysimha were prevented by the police from blindfolding the statue.

UNI KS AJ GM NC BD1855