Indian YouTuber arrested for cooking peacock curry

Peacock is national bird of India and holds a special protected status

HYDERABAD, INDIA:

An aspiring social media influencer in India has been arrested after a video of him cooking and consuming the country's protected national bird, the peacock, sparked public outrage, police said.

Kodam Pranay Kumar was taken into custody on Monday and subsequently jailed after authorities confirmed through other videos on his mobile phone that the bird used in his cooking video was indeed a peacock, police stated.

"The peacock is protected under stringent wildlife laws," said Akhil Mahajan, police superintendent in the southern state of Telangana. "He is now in jail on a 14-day remand under the Wildlife Protection Act. The court will decide whether he remains in custody or is granted bail."

Investigators are also probing how and where Kumar obtained the peacock featured in the video, which has since been removed from his channel.

The Times of India reported that the video showed Kumar preparing a peacock curry, describing it as "a stunt allegedly pulled to attract more views." However, the newspaper noted, "the response was far from what he might have anticipated."

"Social media users condemned the video, accusing Kumar of promoting illegal wildlife consumption and disrespecting a national symbol," the report added.

The Indian peacock, distinguished by its vibrant blue plumage and the impressive wingspan of the males, is a national symbol of India. The bird holds historical significance, with the Mughal dynasty's throne, known as the Peacock Throne, named for its ornate depiction of peacocks.

In recent decades, rapid urbanisation and habitat loss have led to a significant decline in the peacock population in the wild. India's wildlife laws now impose severe penalties and fines to protect these birds from hunting or harm.