PETA India asks AMUL to withdraw its ‘deceptive’ ad featuring Novak Djokovic

People of the Animal Rights Organisation (PETA) has asked India’s top dairy products company AMUL to take down its recent advertisement featuring World No.1 and 2021 French Open winner Novak Djokovic.

After Djokovic’s win at Roland Garros, Amul launched an advertisement stating ”Serb Kuch jeeta..do baar” and “Amul Djo khaaye, usse bhaaye”

However, this comes as an erroneous statement from India’s leading FMCG company. It is important to note that Djokovic is a vegan and doesn’t consume dairy products.

“Djokovic is a vegan who won his 19th Grand Slam, and now, PETA India slams Amul for appropriating his image in an ad for the very product he denounces,” PETA CEO Manilal Valliyate said.

Valliyate further added that several leading athletes Venus Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Colin Kaepernick and Alex Morgan have also switched to plant-based diet in order to enhance their own performance. That said, they have also been advocates animal rights and welfare.

Players opting for vegan diet

“Today, many athletes and celebrities around the world, including tennis champion Venus Williams, Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton, American football player Colin Kaepernick, and Olympic gold medallist and football player Alex Morgan, are eating vegan for improved health, concern for animals, or to help the environment. Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri has also been reported to eat vegan for improved recovery, digestion, and fitness. In fact, a documentary has been made on vegan athletes, called The Game Changers, which is available on Netflix. Even when athletes, stars, and consumers are not fully vegan they are still increasingly opting for vegan foods.”

The letter also urges Amul to instead produce healthy plant based, vegan milk. PETA India has sought a meeting with Amul but has received no response. The group – whose motto reads, in part, that “animal are not ours to eat”

Meanwhile, the Serb is currently practicing on the grass courts of Mallorca before he reaches London to defend his Wimbledon crown.

Also read: What history will Italians Berrettini, Fognini, Sinner and Sonego create at 2021 Wimbledon?