R.Circus2 TOI

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2005

THE TIMES OF INDIA INDIA

 

Circus fire: Beastly tale of lapses

SUROJIT MAHALANOBIS

 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 06, 2005 02:33:52 AM ]

 

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NEW DELHI: Monday's Russian circus tragedy in Mumbai which killed 21

animals has raised many serious questions. The circus company has

flouted norms by importing notified animals for game shows without

seeking permission.

 

Chennai-based Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) secretary R

Balasubramanian, told TOI: " We don't know why the court in Mumbai

allowed the use of notified animals. "

 

AWBI norms make it mandatory for circus companies using notified

animals — like lions, tigers, bears, leopards and monkeys — to

register. But before the Rogoscirk (the Russian circus company)

application could be processed and a reply given, it moved court

arguing procedural delays and secured permission for its shows.

 

Asked why the board couldn't put forth its points properly at the

court, he said, " It was Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals (BSPCA)'s Col J C Khanna who moved the court on February 5,

seeking a direction to the circus company to get registered. So the

advocate was not ours, it was BSPCA's. But the case should have been

represented well. A court looks at an issue as it's presented. I

don't want to comment anything on the judgment, but the circus

company's functioning shocked us. " Interestingly, Col Khanna is also

an AWBI member.

 

The events management firm, Choice Events Pvt Ltd, which was

organising the shows on behalf of the Russian company, has reportedly

taken Indian laws and work culture for granted. A representative,

Bani Prakash, visited the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in September

for permission to import two of the five notified animals — a polar

bear and sea-lions — among others such as Eskimo dogs, cats and

birds.

 

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For reprint rights:Times Syndication Service

 

 

2005 Times Internet Limited.