Public outrage over the Supreme Court’s directive to relocate stray dogs from Delhi-NCR to shelter homes within 8 weeks reached Siliguri on Monday, where animal lovers staged a protest demanding reversal of the order.
Voices From The Streets
Dozens of protestors gathered with placards and slogans, denouncing the ruling as “inhuman.” They argued that stray dogs, who live quietly alongside communities, deserve empathy rather than removal.
“Dogs are voiceless creatures. They haven’t done anything wrong to anyone… You can spare criminals, so why can’t you spare dogs? Shame on you… This verdict is inhuman… This verdict should be taken back,” said Anisha Paul, one of the demonstrators.
The agitation in Siliguri follows similar protests in Chennai and New Delhi over the past week, pointing to growing nationwide resistance.
Police Action In Delhi
In the capital, tensions escalated after dog lovers staged sit-ins on August 11 and 12 without official clearance. Delhi Police registered four FIRs, citing violations of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), formerly Section 144 of the CrPC.
Officials reported scuffles when police tried to disperse crowds. “Those who refused to leave the protest sites despite repeated requests were detained. Legal action will be taken against all those found violating the law,” police said.
Viral videos from the protests showed an SHO of Tughlaq Road police station being pushed around by demonstrators, while another clip captured a heated face-off between a woman sub-inspector and a protestor inside a bus.
Court’s Directive
The controversy began with the Supreme Court’s August 11 order directing authorities to make residential areas of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad free of stray dogs. The ruling also prohibited the release of captured dogs back onto the streets.
On August 14, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria reserved its interim order after considering multiple petitions challenging the directive.
Health Concerns Cited
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the order, stressing that public safety was at stake. Representing the Delhi government, he said a “silent suffering majority” supported the move, even as a “loud vocal minority” opposed it.
He pointed to alarming data: 37 lakh dog bite cases and 305 rabies deaths were reported in 2024, most victims being children under 15. “Dogs do not have to be killed… they have to be separated. Parents cannot send children out to play. Nobody is an animal hater,” Mehta told the bench.
The growing protests highlight a sharp divide: activists call the order unjust, while officials stress the urgent need to protect citizens, particularly children.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
