New Delhi: Amid the Supreme Court's grim judgment on the removal of stray dogs from Delhi NCR, an old video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi surfaced on social media, wherein he can be seen urging citizens to take care of the stray animals around them during the COVID-19 lockdown.
"We have to worry about the animals around you. Due to the lockdown, there is a food crisis in front of many animals. I pray to the people to take care of the animals around you," he can be heard saying the clip.
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Animal welfare groups are now citing these words to challenge the court’s directive, calling it inconsistent with the spirit of compassion urged by the Prime Minister himself.
Sharing the same clip on Instagram, Street Dogs of Bombay wrote, "Why @officialrekhagupta ji the Delhi system is not following the Prime Minister's advice @narendramodi. Why the CM is silent till now and no action?"
"The Supreme Court’s order to remove stray dogs from Delhi threatens thousands of innocent lives. These animals are not “problems” — they are living beings who share our streets, our neighborhoods, and our compassion. Removing them is not a solution; ethical sterilization, vaccination, and community care are. Let’s unite to protect Delhi’s strays, uphold animal rights, and demand humane alternatives," it added.
New Bench to Hear Case In Supreme Court Today
Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Wednesday, August 13, said he would urgently examine a plea challenging the removal order, after an advocate raised concerns over its legality and alignment with previous judgments.
The matter is listed for hearing before a three-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria. The July 28 suo motu case, citing rising bite incidents, led the Supreme Court to direct stray removals and expansion of shelters to house the relocated dogs. The judgement was passed by a two-bench judge comprising of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan.
While some residents see the order as a decisive public safety step, animal welfare advocates say it risks opening the door to covert culling, now in stark contrast to the Prime Minister’s own words urging care for strays.
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