Deaths of horses and mules during Kedarnath pilgrimage spark online outcry

A video of a dead horse being removed during the Kedarnath pilgrimage has gone viral, prompting renewed calls for better animal protection. The footage shows a man at the sacred site questioning whether pilgrims who rely on animals for the trek incur sin or virtue. He questions whether using animals to reach Kedarnath, when they suffer from overexertion and poor care, pleases God.

Horses and mules regularly die during the Kedarnath yatra due to exhaustion, inadequate nutrition, and lack of proper healthcare, including susceptibility to diseases like Equine Influenza. Animal welfare advocates have repeatedly raised these concerns, but no significant government action has been taken. The viral video has reignited the debate on social media about the ethics of using animals for religious pilgrimages.