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Circus in Mumbai allowed to feature animals
After a gap of several years, residents of Mumbai will see performances by animals - something that was hitherto banned by the government.
After a gap of several years, residents of this city will be treated to a performance by animals at a circus, something that was hitherto banned by the government.
On Thursday, the Bombay High Court stayed the enforcement of the ban on the Russian state circus company Rosgoscirk, currently touring Mumbai.
The circus approached the court with the plea that the ban applied only to Indian circuses and not to circuses from abroad that toured India.
According to the circus' management, animals like sea lions, tigers, lions, bears and Eskimo dogs would feature in its performance. It was not clear if the animals would be used immediately.
Animal rights activists, however, were up in arms at the court order.
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which is campaigning against the use of animals in circuses, would appeal against the court's order, according to its office-bearer Anuradha Sawhney.
Sawhney alleged the circus did not have all the necessary papers to feature animals in its performances in Mumbai.
According to her, the Calcutta High Court had banned the performance of animals and some species like sea lions had to be handed over to the authorities.
