Under the crisp winter sun at New Delhi's iconic protest site, Jantar Mantar, a diverse crowd gathered with a unified, urgent message on Sunday. The assembly, buzzing with energy from the outset, featured passionate arguments, pointed questions, and satirical commentary. An unexpected participant—a dog in a jacket—darted through the crowd, becoming a furry, living symbol of the cause. The gathering brought together animal welfare organizations, individual caregivers, veterinarians, legal experts, artists, and concerned citizens from across India. Their collective opposition was directed at a recent Supreme Court order, which they believe mandates actions that could endanger the lives of India's community dogs.
A Call for "Meaningful Hearings" and Evidence-Based Policy
Organized under the banner "Do or Die," the protestors called for an immediate stay on what they describe as orders for the mass removal and confinement of community dogs. This appeal comes ahead of the apex court's next hearing scheduled for January 7. The central demand was for the Supreme Court to hold "meaningful hearings" before issuing any sweeping directions. They insisted that such hearings must include testimonies and consultations from veterinarians, epidemiologists, public health experts, ecologists, and animal behaviour scientists.
The protestors argued for a return to the evidence-based steps already mandated by law: the full implementation, with proper funding, monitoring, and enforcement, of the Animal Birth Control and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ABC-ARV) program. Placards bearing the slogan "Aawara nahi, hamara hai" (Not stray, they are ours) were held high as speaker after speaker emphasized that the issue transcends animal welfare, reflecting a broader failure of governance.
The Logistical and Ethical Absurdity of Mass Shelters
Animal rights activist Ambika Shukla framed the debate in historical and policy terms. "No two species have evolved together like humans and dogs. We've coexisted for 30,000 years," she stated. "This is not an animal issue, it's a government issue." She called for an immediate halt to dog removals, strict implementation of sterilization and vaccination drives, and a firm rejection of the concept of mass shelters.
Activist Manavi Rai laid out the staggering logistical nightmare of creating shelters for all community dogs. "We would need nearly 5 lakh acres to build shelters for around 10 lakh dogs," she calculated. "Shelters require massive infrastructure and trained personnel. The cost of running a single shelter is about Rs 10 lakh a month. Where will this money come from?" Other activists drew a sharp ethical contrast, noting that while accused and convicted criminals in heinous cases often walk free on bail, community dogs are the ones being "jailed" in shelters.
Voices from the Ground: Caregivers Share Their Stories
The protest was grounded in the everyday realities of those who care for community dogs. Feeders shared poignant glimpses into their years of quiet, dedicated service. One woman recounted being beaten by her neighbours simply for feeding dogs. A shy 10-year-old boy spoke about looking after dogs near the National School of Drama.
Rajkumari, a street vendor from Janpath who has cared for over 200 dogs, struggled to contain her emotion as she described watching dogs die in front of her. "This earth belongs to everyone, not just humans," she asserted. Lawyer Gauri Puri placed the responsibility squarely on the authorities: "If the number of dogs on the streets is increasing, the blame lies not with the dogs, but with authorities who failed to implement sterilization and other mandated measures."
Stand-up comedian Manu Abhishek used humour to drive the point home. "I was playing 'Who Let the Dogs Out.' So who let the dogs out? Not the Supreme Court for sure," he quipped. "Capture the thugs, instead of the pugs." As the winter sun dipped, the gathering at Jantar Mantar dispersed, leaving behind a powerful appeal for rationality, compassion, and a scientifically sound path forward for India's oldest companions.
