Hundreds of animal welfare advocates gathered in Jaipur on Sunday to voice their strong opposition to a recent Supreme Court directive concerning the relocation of community dogs. The demonstration, held at the iconic Albert Hall, saw participation from approximately 300 activists and was synchronized with similar protests erupting in at least 35 other cities across the country.
Nationwide Outcry Against Relocation Directive
The pan-India protests were organized amid growing distress over actions taken following the Supreme Court's order dated November 7. Protestors collected signatures from concerned citizens, which they plan to formally submit to Jaipur District Collector Jitendra Soni and Ravi Jain, the Secretary of the state's Local Self-Government Department. The core appeal from the activists is for an immediate stay on the apex court's directions, with the next hearing in the case scheduled for Wednesday.
Warnings of Ecological Chaos and Increased Cruelty
Organizers of the Jaipur rally expressed grave concerns, reporting a spike in animal cruelty incidents and the unscientific removal of dogs from public spaces. They highlighted that these relocations are often conducted without adequate safeguards, oversight, or preparedness, escalating risks for both humans and animals. Activist Santana Khurana cited a stark example from a Jaipur park to illustrate the potential consequences.
"We've already seen what happens when dogs are removed without understanding local ecology and ignoring science," Khurana stated. "In one Jaipur park, dogs were taken away, after which monkeys began entering the park, creating safety concerns so serious that the park had to be shut for several days, until the dogs were brought back. This kind of disruption is exactly what we can expect across the city if unscientific relocation continues."
Alleged Systemic Failures in Animal Welfare Bodies
Beyond the immediate protest, participants raised alarms about systemic issues in Rajasthan's animal welfare infrastructure. They claimed that key monitoring and prevention committees are largely ineffective. Specifically, the activists alleged that Animal Birth Control (ABC) monitoring committees and District Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) are either non-functional or completely absent in many areas of the state. This vacuum, they argue, leaves animals vulnerable and undermines scientific, humane population management efforts.
The demonstration at the historic Albert Hall stands as a significant marker of public dissent, emphasizing the demand for a policy rooted in ecological balance and compassion rather than abrupt displacement.
