The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued a show-cause notice to T-Series, a prominent music and film production company, for allegedly using a horse in the music video of the Punjabi song Maniac by Yo Yo Honey Singh without obtaining the required pre-shoot permission (PSP) and No Objection Certificate (NOC). The notice demands an explanation from the company within seven days, failing which further action will be initiated.

The AWBI, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, pointed out that the music video, uploaded on T-Series’ YouTube channel (accessible via the link: https://youtu.be/W8x6DWyj0-A2s=FxX113BytNZHFWcX), features a horse as a performing animal. According to the notice, T-Series failed to secure the mandatory PSP and NOC from the AWBI, a requirement under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001.

The notice, addressed to Shri Bhushan Kumar, Producer of T-Series, highlights that using an animal in such a manner without prior registration constitutes a violation of Section 26 (a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001. The AWBI has sought clarification from T-Series on why action should not be taken against the company for this breach, particularly in the context of exhibiting animals without the necessary permissions in the song Maniac.

“T-Series Channel has telecasted the video of the Punjabi Song ‘Maniac’… wherein a horse was used as a performing animal without obtaining pre-shoot permission (PSP) and No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the AWBI,” the notice stated. It further warned that if no response is received within the stipulated seven-day period, the AWBI will proceed with legal action without further notice.

The notice was signed by Dr. S.K. Dutta, Secretary of the AWBI, and copies were sent to the Regional Officer of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in New Delhi and Shri Punditrao Dharenavar, a Sector-41B resident, for information.

This development underscores the increasing scrutiny on the entertainment industry regarding the ethical treatment of animals in media productions, with regulatory bodies like the AWBI enforcing stricter compliance with animal welfare laws. T-Series has yet to issue a public statement on the matter.