Maneka Gandhi calls SCs order on stray animals ‘impractical’

Animal rights activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on Thursday (November 13, 2025) described the Supreme Court’s directive on eradicating stray animals and lodging them at shelter properties as “impractical”, and mentioned compassion ought to information India’s strategy in direction of animals.

The Supreme Court final week took notice of the “alarming rise” in canine chunk incidents in institutional areas like instructional centres, hospitals, bus stands and railway stations, and directed the authorities to maneuver such canines to designated shelters.

The apex court docket additionally ordered the authorities, together with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to make sure the removing of stray animals and cattle from highways and expressways.

“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,” Ms. Gandhi mentioned, responding to questions at an occasion in New Delhi.

She additionally questioned the shortage of coordination amongst civic our bodies, including that compassion, not management, ought to information India’s strategy to animals.

The former parliamentarian urged the authorities and residents to deal with group accountability and humane care.

Ms. Gandhi was talking on the launch of CineKind, a brand new initiative launched by the Film Federation of India (FFI) in collaboration together with her organisation, People for Animals (PFA), to honour kindness and humane storytelling in cinema.

The awards purpose to encourage filmmakers to painting empathy towards animals and nature as a type of energy somewhat than weak spot.

“India’s culture is, to a large extent, defined by films, and to get them on board to make compassion look strong is very important,” she mentioned. “If you’re compassionate, you’re a strong person. It’s only people who are weak who are cruel.”

Ms. Gandhi, who has championed animal welfare legal guidelines for many years, recalled the time when animals utilized in movies suffered tremendously as a result of an absence of rules.

“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 mentioned.

“The Animal Welfare Board of India later worked with filmmakers to establish strict norms. Now, it’s time for self-regulation and renewed commitment.”

FFI president Firdausul Hasan mentioned movies have the ability to affect public attitudes and promote humane values.

“Films have unmatched reach. They stir emotions, challenge beliefs and spark change. With CineKind, we are saying that kindness should be as celebrated on screen as any action or drama,” he mentioned.