(Image source from: x.com/RahulGandhi)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed on Tuesday that the Supreme Court's order to eliminate all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR marks a regression from years of compassionate, scientifically informed practices. He emphasized that "mass removals are inhumane, unwise, and take away our kindness." His comments followed the Supreme Court's recent command for local authorities in Delhi-NCR to quickly move all stray dogs off the streets and into shelters. The court highlighted the “very serious” situation caused by dog bites leading to rabies, especially among children. Responding to this order, Gandhi said, “The Supreme Court's command to remove every stray dog in Delhi-NCR is a step backward from decades of compassionate, science-based strategies.” He added that these voiceless beings are not “issues” to be eliminated, sharing his thoughts on X. “Shelters, sterilization, vaccination, and community care can make streets safer without being cruel. Mass removals are inhumane, unwise, and take away our kindness,” Gandhi stated.
“The public's safety and the well-being of animals can coexist,” the former Congress president remarked. The Supreme Court noted that dog shelters would need to be developed over time, directing Delhi officials to begin by establishing facilities for about 5,000 dogs within six to eight weeks. A panel of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan issued several orders and warned of severe consequences for anyone or any organization that tries to block this process, which could lead the court to take contempt actions. “If anyone or any group attempts to stop the capture of stray dogs, and we hear about it, we will take strict measures against any such opposition,” the judges stated. They further commented on whether animal activists and “so-called dog lovers” could return the lives of children who suffered from rabies. “Can they restore those children's lives? When the situation requires action, you must respond,” they emphasized.
The Supreme Court was reviewing a case it took up on its own on July 28, regarding stray dog bites resulting in rabies in the capital city. On Monday, the court told the Delhi government and local authorities in Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad to relocate all stray dogs into shelters. It mandated that these dog shelters must have enough staff to sterilize and vaccinate the dogs while also caring for them. These facilities would be under CCTV monitoring to make sure the dogs stay within the premises.
