The grand premiere of Bigg Boss 18 on Sunday revealed 18 new contestants, including TV actors, politicians, and social media influencers. However, it was the introduction of a '19th contestant' that sparked curiosity. An actual donkey named 'Gadhraj', was brought into the house. The decision to include an animal in the show has drawn mixed reactions from the audience. While some found it humorous, others expressed concern over the ethical implications of keeping the donkey in a confined house.
Animal welfare organization PETA India has now raised its concerns through a letter addressed to Bigg Boss host Salman Khan. Shaurya Agrawal, an advocacy associate with PETA, wrote to Salman, emphasizing the distress caused to the public over the inclusion of Gadhraj. The letter urges the host to intervene and ensure the donkey is rehomed to a sanctuary. PETA stresses that animals should not be used as entertainment props, and the donkey's presence in the house could be harmful to its well-being.
The donkey was introduced on the premiere day by Salman Khan, who entrusted the contestants with its care. While some viewers have found the inclusion of the animal amusing, others believe that it is unfair to keep a social animal like a donkey in such a setting.