New Delhi: The debate on stray dogs, sparked off after the Supreme Court ordered that all stray dogs in the NCR be sent to shelters, has now caused divisions among the BJP and RSS leaders.
While animal activist and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seem to disagree with the Supreme Court’s orders, former union minister Vijay Goel and Delhi minister Parvesh Verma have advocated relocating stray dogs.
On 14 August, at an event in Cuttack, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat remarked that “all animals have the right to live; the stray dog issue in Delhi can only be resolved by managing their population rather than confining them to shelters”.
Bhagwat, who holds a degree in veterinary science, also referenced traditional cow-rearing practices, such as leaving some milk for calves during milking, to emphasise the need for balance between humans and nature. He underscored the significance of conserving nature by harmonising development with environmental considerations.
Meanwhile, Maneka Gandhi is actively campaigning against the relocation of stray dogs. She has recently written several articles advocating the harmonious coexistence of humans and dogs, attributing the discord between the two to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). In a piece for The Hindu, she said, “For approximately 25,000 years, humans have cohabited with dogs; they provide us with protection, emotional support, and companionship. We are not witnessing a breakdown of this beautiful bond; rather, intolerance is escalating not only towards dogs but also towards cats, cows, birds, and other creatures. The RWAs often incite violence. Historically, during colonial times, street dogs were routinely exterminated to reduce their population, a strategy that proved ineffective then and will not succeed now. Nature permits animals to reproduce abundantly; if a void exists, it will be filled by less desirable species such as mice, mongoose, and cockroaches. The London plague of 1965 was a consequence of the slaughter of 2,50,000 dogs and cats, and a similar event occurred in Surat not long ago.”
Maneka contended that the animal birth control regulations established prior to addressing animal health are the only viable solution for achieving a sustained reduction in dog population and the incidence of rabies and aggression in dogs.
On the other hand, former union minister Vijay Goel, who has been at the forefront of the civil agitation against the dog menace in Delhi for the past two years through his NGO Lok Abhiyan, has introduced the topic of cows into the debate, referring to cow slaughter and theft.
Talking to ThePrint, Goel said, “The real issue is how to manage the 10 lakh stray dogs that are biting children, elderly men, and women daily. Following the court’s decision, a few so-called dog lovers and NGOs are protesting and making a fuss, but I want to ask, what is their solution to these 10 lakh stray dogs. Why are they not making a fuss and protesting on the cow issue? Gau mata does not bite or harm anyone.”
He added, “Why have these NGOs, which receive funding from the MCD, not sterilised any dogs until now? How many dogs have been sterilised by Maneka Gandhi’s NGO? I am also a dog lover, but this is not merely a question of dog love; it is a matter of humanity versus dog love. Do they want these stray dogs to continue biting and roaming the streets?
“I am organising a large rally to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision at the Talkatora Stadium, and all Delhi RWAs are participating in it,” he said.
Despite the RSS chief supporting Maneka Gandhi’s point of view, many Delhi BJP leaders, including Delhi minister Parvesh Verma, have found greater merit in Goel’s argument. Previously, when Goel initiated a protest on stray dogs, former Union Minister Prakash Javadekar and Pravesh Verma had participated.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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