Guwahati: Singer Zubeen Garg will be honoured by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) India for speaking out against animal sacrifice.

"He had expressed his anguish over animal sacrifice and said the practice must end. For this act of compassion, he will receive a Hero to Animals award from Peta India," a statement issued by Peta India on Thursday said.

While performing at a Bihu function organised by Friends Club of Kamakhya near the temple on Monday night, Zubeen called for an end to the ritual of animal sacrifice, referring to actor-politician Govinda's visit to the temple on Sunday, during which a buffalo was reportedly sacrificed.

"I don't like animal sacrifice in the name of religion. I love animals very much. I am a Brahmin but I don't believe in such rituals," the singer had said.

"All religions call for compassion. No religion requires killing or eating of animals and hacking animals to death with weapons is just cruel," said Peta India associate director (celebrity and public relations) Sachin Bangera.

"We commend Zubeen for being a voice for animals and calling for an end to animal sacrifices," he said.

Zubeen's comments, however, drew flak from some quarters, including the organisers of the function and Kamakhya temple priests, who demanded an apology for hurting religious sentiments.

Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra was honoured with Hero to Animals award by Peta in December last year for speaking out against the cruelty to animals in circuses; signing a petition asking the government to uphold the ban on jallikattu (bull races) and adopting a stray kitten.

Other recipients of the award are actress Zareen Khan for rescuing a cat from the streets; Cyrus Broacha for refusing to perform a stunt that involved riding a bull; actress Rani Mukerji for helping a dog in distress on her film set; actress Asin for saving a dog hit by a car; actor Imran Khan for stopping a trainer who was beating a dog on set; actress Sadha Sayed for helping a puppy who just missed being hit by a car during a rainstorm; and actress Dia Mirza's production house Born Free Entertainment for showing that homeless animals make wonderful additions to families.