Shot by photographer Dilip Bhatia, the advertisement shows Shamita lying on a bed of red chillies next to the tagline, “Spice Up Your Life – Go Vegetarian”.

Asserting that a vegetarian diet is better for ensuring good health, Shamita says she turned a veggie when she was quite young. “I realised that if I really loved animals, I could not eat them. Meat is not healthy and not good for your body. I maintain my good looks and trim figure by eating a lot of veggies, salads and fruits. Those foods are alive, so I am alive. And in terms of working out, I get all my energy from veggies and fresh stuff.”

According to PETA, Shamita decided to become a vegetarian as animals slaughtered for meat are crammed into vehicles in such large numbers that many get severely injured or die. “Animals are hit, dragged, and cruelly and illegally handled.

They are often not provided with even basic necessities such as food, water and veterinary treatment. At the abattoir, they are killed in view of one another and are often dismembered and skinned while they are still conscious,” said a PETA spokesperson.

Alleging that chickens were crowded into filthy sheds, the spokesperson said the sheds reek of ammonia fumes. “Chickens are bred and drugged to grow so quickly that they often become crippled under their own weight. At the slaughterhouse, their throats are slit and their bodies are dunked into scalding hot water for feather removal, often while they are still conscious.”

People can help animal abuse by visiting petaDishoom.com where they can find out what their favourite stars are doing to help animals and register to win prizes like iPods, mobile phones and items autographed by celebrities.

Staff Reporter

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