PETA organises 'Easter Protest' in Delhi

New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) The Indian chapter People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Wednesday organised a protest at India Gate against animal testing by cosmetic companies.

Three PETA volunteers dressed up as rabbits to protest against the "inhumane" practice of using animals such as rabits, mice and monkeys in laboratory trials of chemicals used in cosmetic companies.

The 'Easter Bunnies', as PETA volunteers called them, carried placards reading "Love me, don't hurt me" and "Ban cosmetic testing on animals."

"Within 5 minutes of our arrival, more than a hundred strong crowd gathered to support us," claimed Kriti, a volunteer with PETA.

"Testing cosmetics and household products on animals hurts them and is completely unnecessary and must be banned," PETA India campaigner Deepti Mishra said.

According to PETA, due to physiological differences between the animals used for testing and humans, the test results are often misleading and more than a 1000 companies have stopped animal testing, but some companies still continue the archaic process.

"With so many top-quality, cruelty-free products to choose from, consumers have no reason to buy from companies that still blind rabbits and poison mice," she added.

The European Union had implemented a gradual ban on animal testing in 2009. The ban, which will come in full effect in 2013 also prohibits marketing of products that were tested on animals in Europe.

PETA wants the Indian government to implement a similar ban and their campaign has also garnered support from the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR).