'Cruel, Short-Sighted, Strips Us Of Compassion': Rahul Gandhi Criticises SC's Directive To Remove Stray Dogs From Delhi NCR
On August 11, a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan instructed the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to “at the earliest start picking up stray dogs from all localities” and, if needed, “create a force” to execute the task.
'Cruel, Short-Sighted, Strips Us Of Compassion': Rahul Gandhi Criticises SC's Directive To Remove Stray Dogs From Delhi NCR | File Pic
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised the Supreme Court's directive ordering the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR, calling it a "step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy."
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, August 12, Gandhi argued that "blanket removals are cruel, shortsighted, and strip us of compassion," urging the adoption of sterilisation, vaccination, shelters and community care. "We can ensure public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand," he wrote.
Have a look at his statement here:
Supreme Court's Directive
On August 11, a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan instructed the Delhi government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to "start picking up stray dogs from all localities at the earliest", and, if needed, "create a force" to execute the task. The Court emphasised the need to make "all localities free of stray dogs" and warned that obstructing the drive could invite contempt proceedings.
The order also directed the creation of dog shelters within eight weeks, staffed for sterilisation and immunisation, with CCTV monitoring. Responding to activists’ concerns, the Bench controversially asked whether they could "bring back those who have fallen prey to rabies," insisting the move was in the "public interest" and advising that dogs be moved to "far-off places."
Animal Rights Groups, Activists Outrage
The ruling sparked protests across Delhi-NCR, with several marching to India Gate on Sunday night (August 11). the outrage also spread across social media, with many criticising the order as inhumane.
Animal rights group PETA India called the decision "unscientific" and warned it would cause "widespread chaos" for communities and "suffering for animals." The organisation maintained that forced displacement "has NEVER worked" and urged authorities to prioritise sterilisation and vaccination programmes instead.
PETA also pointed out that if the sterilisation mandate introduced in 2001 had been properly enforced, there would "hardly be any dogs on the road today," adding that it was "not too late" to act on a sustainable, humane solution.
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