Maneka Gandhi Calls Supreme Court Order On Stray Animals ‘Impractical’, Urges Compassion And Humane Care

Animal rights activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has called the Supreme Court's directive to remove stray animals to shelters "impractical," asserting that compassion - not control - should shape India's animal welfare policies. Speaking at the launch of CineKind, a new initiative promoting humane storytelling in cinema, Gandhi emphasized that both citizens and authorities must take shared responsibility for the humane treatment of animals.

The Supreme Court recently expressed concern over the "alarming rise" in dog bite incidents across institutional spaces such as educational campuses, hospitals, bus stations, and railway stations. In response, it directed authorities to relocate such stray animals to designated shelters. The apex court also instructed agencies, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to ensure the removal of stray dogs and cattle from highways and expressways.

Reacting to these orders, Gandhi said, "The Supreme Court says remove the dog, remove the cat, remove the monkey, put it in a shelter, sterilise it - but no one can actually do this. It is impractical." She further criticized the lack of coordination among civic authorities, saying that India's approach to animals must be rooted in empathy and compassion rather than strict enforcement.

Gandhi urged both the public and institutions to adopt a sense of community-driven responsibility for stray animals, promoting humane care instead of displacement.

The comments came during the unveiling of CineKind, a collaborative project between the Film Federation of India (FFI) and Gandhi's organisation, People for Animals (PFA). The initiative aims to recognize and encourage kindness and empathy in cinematic storytelling, honouring films that portray animals and nature with sensitivity.

"India's culture is largely shaped by its films," Gandhi remarked. "Getting filmmakers to show compassion as a form of strength is crucial. If you are compassionate, you are strong - only weak people are cruel."

Reflecting on her long-standing advocacy for animal welfare, Gandhi recalled earlier decades when animals used in Indian films often suffered due to the absence of proper regulations. "There was a time when cows, horses, and tigers used in movies would die during filming. Tigers were sedated; their teeth and claws pulled out," she said. She added that later, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) collaborated with filmmakers to create strict rules for the use of animals in cinema.

FFI President Firdausul Hasan echoed Gandhi's sentiments, noting that cinema holds immense potential to influence public values. "Films have unmatched reach - they stir emotions, challenge beliefs, and spark change," he said. "With CineKind, we want kindness to be celebrated on screen as much as action or drama."

In essence, Gandhi's remarks highlight a critical divide between legal directives and on-ground feasibility, underscoring her belief that lasting animal welfare in India depends not on enforcement but on empathy and shared moral responsibility.