Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon marked Independence Day with a message about the condition of stray dogs in Delhi NCR. Taking to her official Instagram account on Friday, she used the hashtag #DelhiNCRIndies and called for "freedom for all," saying that animals too deserve care and respect.
Raveena shared a photo of a dog with India's national flag and referred to Mahatma Gandhi's well-known quote that the way a nation treats its animals shows its moral progress.
In her post, she also criticised the authorities for not handling the problem properly. "When the authorities fail, there is always a fall guy. Inefficiency/corruption has led to this disaster," she wrote, blaming negligence and corruption for the crisis.
Her message touched many fans and animal lovers, who praised her for raising the issue on a national day. The post has also started online discussions about the need for better care and protection for street animals.
The apex court's ruling, passed on Monday (August 11), directed that stray dogs in Delhi NCR be moved to shelters as part of a suo motu case launched on July 28 in response to a surge in dog-bite incidents.
Following the verdict, several animal rights activists staged protests in Delhi. The demonstrations led to multiple detentions by Delhi Police.
On Wednesday, August 13, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai assured urgent review of a plea challenging the removal order, after questions were raised over its legality and alignment with earlier rulings.
The SC directive also instructs authorities to expand existing shelters to accommodate the animals. While many critics argue the move could lead to mass culling under the pretext of relocation, supporters see it as an important step for public safety.
