Coimbatore: Founder-director of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Ingrid Newkirk and her two associates were arrested on charges of blindfolding a statue of Mahatma Gandhi here, as part of its campaign against Jallikattu , a traditional bull-fight event.
They were arrested on Thursday and released on bail after signing a bond, police said.
The watchman and a contract worker at the Gandhi Park were also arrested in connection with the incident.
PETA activists had originally planned to hold a protest against Jallikattu on Wednesday, it was dropped at the last minute.
However, Newkirk and other PETA activists visited Gandhi Park and blindfolded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and hung a board 'Reject cruel sport Jallikattu '.
Following a complaint lodged by a Congress functionary, police registered cases against the PETA chief and others for creating religious ill-feeling, defaming the national leader and trespassing.
Charges were also registered against them under the Tamil Nadu Open Places Prevention of Disfigurement Act.
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