People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India just celebrated its 25th anniversary with a Beatles-themed high tea at Taj Palace, and The Diplomat star and PETA India’s first star supporter, John Abraham, was the guest of honour. In recognition of his years of tireless animal advocacy, PETA India named Abraham the first honorary director of PETA India in front of attendees, including Pooja Bhatt and Anita Dongre. PETA India Director Poorva Joshipura presented the honour, and the founder of PETA entities worldwide, Ingrid Newkirk, gave a thought-provoking talk.
John’s many compassionate actions on behalf of animals include successfully urging e-retailer Quikr to stop allowing live animals to be traded on its platform, requesting the Centre to ban animal acts in circuses, speaking up for pigs illegally killed in backyards, appealing to the Nepali government to end the Chitwan Festival’s abusive elephant “games”; appearing in an eye-popping campaign calling attention to the suffering of elephants used for tourist rides and donating his Kaun Banega Crorepati winnings to PETA India. John has also adopted a community dog named Bailey. John was also named PETA India’s Person of the Year in 2020.
“I’m thankful for this tremendous honour and now look forward to supporting PETA India’s vital work over the next 25 years,” says John Abraham. “Since I first supported PETA India in 2000, I remain steadfastly committed to animal protection.”
“John Abraham never turns down a chance to advocate for animals: From working to end cruel circus animal acts to rescuing a desi dog, John’s massive star power is rivalled only by the size of his heart,” says PETA India Vice President Sachin Bangera. “PETA India is delighted to name John our first honorary director, and we encourage everyone to follow his example by speaking out whenever they see animals in need.”
John is the first celebrity to become an honorary director of PETA India. He joins a distinguished and exclusive roster of honorary directors of PETA entities abroad, including Pamela Anderson, James Cromwell, Anjelica Huston, and more.
