Gandhi Family Unity: SC Stray Dog Order
Gandhi Family Voices Concern Over Supreme Court’s Stray Dog Order
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The Supreme Court’s recent directive to remove stray dogs from the Delhi-NCR region has sparked widespread debate, and drawn criticism from an unexpected quarter - members of the Gandhi family, known for their animal welfare advocacy.From rahul Gandhi to his cousin Varun,and sister Priyanka,along with their mother Maneka,voices within the family have united in expressing concern over the potential consequences of the order.
A Chorus of Concern from the gandhi Family
Rahul Gandhi was among the first to publicly voice his opposition, highlighting the potential for inhumane treatment.He expressed worry that moving stray dogs to shelters could expose them to cruelty and hardship.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed Rahul’s thoughts,specifically expressing concern about the possibility of inhumane treatment that stray dogs could face when they are moved to shelters. “Surely there is a better way to manage the situation and a humane way can be found in which these innocent animals are looked after and kept safe as well,” she said in a post.She further emphasized the gentle nature of dogs, stating, “Dogs are the most lovely, gentle creatures, they do not deserve this kind of cruelty.”
Varun Gandhi, Rahul and Priyanka’s cousin, framed the issue within a broader moral context. He stated, ‘nations face deeper moral crises when they step away from empathy.’ Expanding on his concerns, the former Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, said in a post on X, “The Suo Moto order on stray dogs by the Supreme Court is an institutionalisation of cruelty and a harbinger of a legal structure that seeks to punish those who cannot fend for themselves.”
Maneka Gandhi Calls the order “Undoable”
Varun’s mother, Maneka Gandhi, a prominent animal rights activist, environmentalist, and politician, was particularly scathing in her assessment.She deemed the order “not a ‘doable order'”.”This is a very strange judgment given by someone who is in anger. As you know, angry judgments are never sensible,” she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Maneka Gandhi has dedicated decades to animal welfare, founding organizations and advocating for legislation to protect animal rights. Her experience lends notable weight to her criticism.
A Step Backwards for Humane Policy
Animal welfare advocates argue the Supreme Court’s directive represents a significant setback for decades of progress in humane, science-backed stray dog management. Current policies, frequently enough based on the Animal Birth Control (ABC) – rabies vaccination – Animal Rehabitation (AR) program, focus on sterilization and vaccination to control the population and prevent the spread of rabies.Removing dogs from their territories disrupts established packs and can lead to increased aggression and suffering.
The unified stance on this issue is noteworthy given the family’s diverse political affiliations. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi are Congress MPs, while Maneka and Varun are former MPs associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This demonstrates a shared commitment to animal welfare that transcends political boundaries.
The family’s political history is complex. Maneka Gandhi left Indira Gandhi’s home in 1982 following differences and subsequently joined the BJP. Late Sanjay Gandhi, Maneka’s husband, was the brother of former Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul’s father. Despite these political differences, the Gandhi family members have found common ground in their opposition to the Supreme Court’s order.
Notably, none of the family members contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, their continued advocacy on issues like animal welfare demonstrates their ongoing engagement with public concerns.
Also Read: SC on stray dogs: What the order says, how big is the menace, and other points