A horse forced to stand on shaky legs just moments after collapsing. The poor animal had a fractured ankle, but its owner ignored its pain, making it carry a man up a steep hill. When I asked the owner for the horse's health certificate, he ran away, leaving the saddle behind. The horse collapsed again, and people walked by without helping.

This happened on the way to the Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu & Kashmir, but such incidents happen during many holy pilgrimages in India.

This petition is a tribute to all the animals who have suffered or died carrying people up and down India’s sacred mountains. It is a call to end this cruelty.

It is shameful that pilgrims ignore the suffering of injured and dying horses and mules, treated as mere tools for transport. Many of these animals are used illegally, violating the 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.'

Shockingly, those who should enforce the law often help in the abuse of these animals. There is no check on the health of the animals before they are forced to walk 10-20 km, carrying heavy loads of 40 to 120 kg.

These animals, pushed to their limits, can be seen limping and injured, with bleeding wounds from their harnesses.

We must ask ourselves: is it right to reach a temple after causing such pain to an animal? Is it not wrong to travel to a holy place on the back of a sick and injured creature?

We must stop this cruel treatment of animals and demand other ways of transportation. By saying no to this cruelty, we can create better options.

The next time you go on a pilgrimage, ask yourself: would you harm an innocent animal to visit a sacred site? If your conscience says it’s wrong—and it will—stand up for these animals who can’t speak for themselves.

Let’s join together to demand better treatment for these suffering animals. Through this petition, we ask the Government of India to ban the use of animals for carrying people to holy sites. This is the only way to end their suffering.

Sign this petition and stand up for the rights of these animals. Together, we can end their pain and ensure a kinder future.