Sidharth Malhotra urges PM to strengthen animal protection laws

Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra is the latest to join the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wagon.

The 33-year-old actor joined PETA and sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, requesting for stronger penalties for people who commit acts of cruelty to animals.

The letter pointed out that India's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, contains outdated penalties, such as a maximum fine of Rs 50 for convicted first offenders who abuse an animal, which the actor called "barely equivalent to a slap on the wrist".

"As a result, the newspapers are filled with reports of disturbing and egregious animal abuse in our country," Malhotra wrote, "including incidents in which dogs were poisoned, cows were burned with acid, and cats were beaten to death. This does significant damage to our reputation as a nation that respects animals."

The 'Ek Villain' actor went on to note that psychologists, sociologists, and law-enforcement officials have all documented that children who hurt animals often end up hurting other humans.

"If those guilty of cruelty to animals received jail time and significant fines - as well as counseling and a ban on contact with animals - it would help ensure that our duty under Article 51A(g) of the Constitution of India to show animals compassion is better upheld and respected and that society at large is protected from violent behaviour," he concluded.

Malhotra had previously starred in a campaign for PETA India - whose motto reads, in part, that 'animals are not ours to abuse in any way' - promoting the sterilisation of dogs and cats.

Malhotra has joined a lineup of stars such as John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arjun Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Raveena Tandon Thadani, Dr Kiran Bedi, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ajinkya Rahane, all of which have called for strengthened animal-protection laws.