Ahead of a crucial Supreme Court hearing, a senior BJP leader has voiced strong opposition to judicial directives concerning the management of stray animals, framing the issue as a clash between Indian cultural values and inhumane policy.
Jakhar Invokes Indian Ethos Against Court Order
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, on Sunday, took to social media platform X to express his concerns before the January 7 hearing on the management of stray dogs. He argued that the Indian tradition of feeding the first bread to a cow and the last to a dog is not merely a Hindu ritual but a core reflection of the nation's ethos.
"This principle of feeding all beings, extending kindness from the cow, revered by millions, to the humble dog, symbolises respect for the right of all creatures to live freely," Jakhar stated in his post.
Court Directive and the 'Cultural Colonialism' Charge
Jakhar's comments are a direct response to a Supreme Court order from November 7 last year. The apex court, noting an "alarming rise" in dog bite cases within institutional premises like hospitals, schools, and railway stations, had directed the immediate relocation of stray dogs to designated shelters after they undergo sterilisation and vaccination.
Labeling this directive as "inhumane," Jakhar warned that it would lead to the "painful extermination" of these animals. "Such cruelty may be the norm in other cultures but is definitely not acceptable in our society," he asserted. He expressed hope that the court's final directions would not allow "this cultural colonialism to take over our Indian spirituality and value system, which makes India unique."
The Upcoming Legal Showdown
The stage is now set for a significant legal and cultural debate on January 7. The Supreme Court will revisit the issue of managing stray canines, balancing public health concerns from rising bite incidents against arguments for compassionate treatment rooted in traditional practices.
Jakhar's intervention highlights the political and cultural dimensions being injected into a public health and animal welfare debate. His stance frames the court's practical order as an assault on a cherished Indian value system that advocates for kindness to all living creatures.
