Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are under fire by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India for allegedly using animals during their lavish wedding.
The couple faces accusations of animal cruelty from the animal rights group after they supposedly used horses and elephants at their wedding procession. The Quantico star wed Jonas in Jodhpur, India, over the weekend in two extravagant ceremonies-- a Christian nuptial followed by a Hindu ceremony.
According to reports, Jonas rode a beautifully adorned horse on his way to the wedding. After exchanging their vows, the newlyweds then rode around the grounds of Umaid Bhawan Palace on the back of a heavily decorated elephant. PETA India took to Twitter on Monday to lambast Jonas and Chopra.
PETA included investigative footage that shows the miserable life of captive animals in India. The video, titled, "Captive Elephants in Jaipur: PETA India's 2014 Inspection," was taken in 2014 and highlights the hardships and pain horses in India have to endure for the sake of money and tourism.
The footage shows emancipated horses in terrible living conditions. Their legs are chained so they have little room to move around. They have wounds that their handlers cover up with thick ribbons or lace to make them look presentable at weddings. Their backs are adorned with thick and heavy fabric to conceal their malnourished body. The footage likewise revealed that handlers use spiked bits that go around the horse's mouth and hurt their tongue to control these graceful animals.
Manilal Valliyate, the CEO of PETA India, later released a statement validating the group's accusations of "animal abuse" against Chopra and Jonas.
"Priyanka has been ill-served by not being advised of the firestorm that would be caused by participating in animal abuse. It doesn't make a person look big or glamorous to promote cruelty to animals who has no choice but to serve. It makes them look small."
Dear @priyankachopra and @nickjonas. Eles 4 weddings live n chains & horses r controlled w whips, spiked bits. Ppl r rejecting ele rides: https://t.co/Gea5jvP6LP & having horse-free weddings. Congrats, but we regret it was not a happy day for animals. pic.twitter.com/p9FFeJ969B — PETA India ️️ (@PetaIndia) December 3, 2018
Jonas and Chopra left Jodhpur on Monday following the wedding. They have yet to respond to PETA India's accusations.
This is the second time that controversy swirled around Jonas and Chopra's wedding. The actress was also lambasted for hypocrisy after she lit up the sky with fireworks after the nuptials. Ahead of the wedding, the 36-year old Chopra, who is a vocal asthmatic, had urged people to celebrate a pollution-free Diwali. She had asked them not to burn firecrackers to celebrate the festival of lights.
