Peta slams Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas for 'animal abuse' at Jodhpur wedding

The pair chose to include a horse and an elephant in the ceremony

epa07205487 Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas pose for photographs as they leave after their wedding ceremony, in Jodhpur, India, 03 December 2018. EPA/SUNIL VERMA

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas pose for photographs as they walk in to Jodhpur Airport after their weekend of wedding ceremonies. EPA

Sophie Prideaux

Dec 04, 2018

Priyanka Chopra married Nick Jonas in a three-day celebration this weekend, but their nuptials have sparked anger from animal-rights activists. As pictures from the wedding start to appear on social media, it has been revealed that the pair chose to include animals in the ceremonies, as is often tradition for Indian weddings.

A white horse, said to have been rode by Jonas, was pictured in extravagant traditional dress, while another picture showed a white elephant saddled for two riders.

The chief executive of Peta India has called out the couple for the inclusion of animals, accusing them of participating in animal abuse. "Priyanka was ill-served by not being advised of the firestorm that would be caused by participating in animal abuse," Manilal Valliyate said. "It doesn't make a person look big or glamorous to promote cruelty to animals who have no choice but to serve. It makes them look small. Overwhelmingly, these days, Peta is delighted to see so many celebrities who feel passionately about protecting animals."

The statement was followed by a tweet from Peta India’s official account congratulating the pair, but saying it regrets it was “not a happy day for animals”.

Dear @priyankachopra and @nickjonas. Eles 4 weddings live n chains & horses r controlled w whips, spiked bits. Ppl r rejecting ele rides: https://t.co/Gea5jvP6LP & having horse-free weddings. Congrats, but we regret it was not a happy day for animals. pic.twitter.com/p9FFeJ969B
— PETA India (@PetaIndia) December 3, 2018

The pair are yet to respond to Peta’s statements.

Chopra and Jonas tied the knot in two ceremonies – one Christian and one Hindu – on Saturday and Sunday. The celebrations took place at the opulent Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, with Chopra joking in an interview with Vogue that guests would need "vacations" to recover.

After the Jodhpur celebrations, the couple are hosting parties in Mumbai and Chopra's home town of New Delhi.