Rédaction Africa Links 24 with AFP
Published on 2024-02-03 12:18:48
After eight months in Indian police custody, a pigeon was finally released after being cleared of being a suspected Chinese spy. According to the Times of India newspaper, the bird was caught at a port in the financial capital of Mumbai with “messages written in a Chinese-like script” on its wings. Initially, the police had registered a case of spying against the bird, but after completing their inquiry, they dropped the charge.
The unnamed bird was held under lock and key at a city hospital while police carried out an investigation, which lasted an “astonishing eight months,” according to the India office of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The statement from PETA India revealed that police had granted “formal permission for the hospital to release the pigeon” on Wednesday, and local media reports confirmed that the bird fluttered away in good health.
While this case may seem amusing, it is not the first time that pigeons have been detained by Indian authorities on suspicion of espionage. In 2016, border security officers took a pigeon into custody after it was found carrying a threatening message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi near India’s border with arch-rival Pakistan. Similarly, in 2010, another pigeon was held under armed guard in the same region with a ring around its foot and a Pakistani phone number and address stamped on its body in red ink. Officials in that case directed that no one should be allowed to visit the pigeon, which police said may have been on a “special mission of spying.”
The release of the pigeon comes amid growing tensions between China and India. However, it is important to remember that animals should not be used as pawns in political games or as scapegoats for international disputes. In the case of the pigeon detained in Mumbai, it is apparent that the initial suspicion of it being a spy was unfounded, and it was ultimately released without any charges.
This incident also highlights the need for better understanding and communication between countries to avoid misunderstandings that can potentially lead to unnecessary hostility. While it may seem comical to think of a pigeon as a spy, the reality is that it is a wild animal simply going about its daily activities. With proper care and respect for all living beings, such situations can be avoided in the future, and animals can be allowed to live their lives without unnecessary interference.
In conclusion, the release of the pigeon in Mumbai is a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical treatment of all living beings, regardless of their species. This incident is a lighthearted reminder of the need for understanding and compassion in international relations, and the importance of not jumping to conclusions based on superficial observations.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
