An Indian social media aspirant has been arrested after facing severe backlash for a video in which he cooked and consumed a peacock, a protected national bird in India. Kodam Pranay Kumar was detained on Monday after police confirmed through additional videos on his phone that the bird used in his dish was indeed a peacock. Kumar is currently in jail under a 14-day remand per the Wildlife Protection Act, with the court set to decide his bail status.

Authorities are investigating how Kumar acquired the peacock, as the video has since been removed from his channel. The video, which showcased Kumar making peacock curry, was intended to boost his views, but it sparked outrage instead.

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Social media users strongly condemned Kumar’s actions, accusing him of promoting illegal wildlife consumption and showing disrespect to a national symbol. The peacock, renowned for its vibrant blue plumage, is a significant symbol in India, historically associated with the Mughal throne and revered for its beauty.

In recent decades, habitat loss and urbanization have drastically reduced peacock populations. As a result, India has implemented strict wildlife protection laws to safeguard these birds, imposing severe penalties for any violations.