Jail kids amused at cost of helpless fishes

Hindustan Times, Ranchi, March 09,2007: FIVE–YEAR–old Bholu (name changed) went blank when he saw a dog barking on the streets of Ranchi. He had never seen one before. Later, this group of 21 children, including Bholu, squealed with joy to see colorful fishes at the Ranchi’s Aqua World. The children even got the opportunity to actually touch a few fishes.

With all my sympathies for the children who are growing up in the jails of Jharkhand and are being deprived of the little joys of their childhoods, I have a point to highlight in the copied part of the article that was published on the date mentioned in the Mumbai edition of the newspaper. The last statement which talks about the excitement associated with the “opportunity” of touching fishes kept in Ranchi Aqua World, is unfortunately, promoting something that can be labeled as a legal offense. According to the zoo rules, it is illegal to touch animals housed in zoos and I presume that a fish kept captive in an aquarium is covered under the same.

For those, who are wondering why such a rule even exists and how touching a fish could possibly be harmful, I have an example. Why do we not enjoy the touch of a harmless house lizard, or let’s say, a gorilla? No matter how much a snake wishes to smother us with his love by walking over our body, we would still choose to remain miles away from him. From what I know, it is because firstly, we are perturbed and uncomfortable. Secondly, we cannot anticipate what could be the outcome such a physical contact with a stranger. Now, are we not causing the same fear and uneasiness amongst those creatures who are already challenged due to constant captivity?

It is understandable that the viewers i.e the jail kids did not know the rules. But those who were in-charge of them can be questioned for their vigilance over them and also about their knowledge of the law. The guards of the aquarium who are responsible for the safe-being of the fishes and their sense of duty should be brought into focus.

Though it must have been amazing for the children to touch the creatures whom they had seen for the very first time, but we, as adults should make sure that they do not learn to extract fun out of deeds which, firstly, could be illegal and secondly, harmful to others.