Arunachal Pradesh police have registered a case against singer Kon Waii Son for slaughtering a chicken and drinking its blood on stage during a live performance. The incident happened at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh on October 27. A chicken had wandered on to the stage while Son was performing live. The singer quickly grabbed the chicken, slit its throat and went on to drink its blood.
The audience, meanwhile, were shocked by Son’s actions. The video of the incident soon surfaced online, triggering a controversy. Itanagar police registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by People for Ethical Treatment of Animal (PETA), India. The case has been registered under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
PETA India recommends that perpetrators of animal abuse and cruelty should undergo psychiatric evaluation and counselling as abusing animals indicates deep psychological disturbance. “If you are an artist who feels the need to resort to shock tactics like cruelty to animals, then it’s time to consider another job. Real artists rely on their talent to get noticed” said Sinchana Subramanian, PETA India Cruelty Response Coordinator in a press release.
The police said that they have interrogated the organisers of the program and have registered their statements for investigation. The organisers said that Kon Waii Son killed the chicken without their knowledge or approval.
Meanwhile, the singer expressed regret over his action after the incident became a controversy. “I offer my sincere apologies for any actions during the performance. I accept full responsibility for the unscheduled and unplanned act involving an animal. This act was spontaneous and carried out without prior knowledge or approval from the organizing or management teams,” Son wrote on his social media handle. Kon Waii Son who hails from Seppa in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Kameng district is a songwriter, composer and musician.
