India has a glaring moral contradiction—its treatment of animals. While religious texts speak of ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion towards all living beings, the reality is far from ideal. Stray animals roam the streets, suffering from starvation and disease; cases of brutal animal abuse frequently surface; and NGOs working tirelessly for animal welfare struggle with inadequate support. It is time for the government, local communities, and individuals to take greater responsibility for protecting and caring for animals.
One of the most pressing issues is the lack of strict enforcement of animal welfare laws. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, is woefully outdated, prescribing laughable fines as low as ?50 for heinous acts of cruelty. This fails to act as a deterrent for those who abuse animals for sport, profit, or sheer cruelty. The government must urgently amend the law to introduce stringent penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment, to curb animal abuse.
Additionally, government-backed initiatives for animal rescue, rehabilitation, and shelter construction remain alarmingly inadequate. The burden falls largely on underfunded NGOs and individual rescuers who struggle with limited resources. These organizations often depend on donations and volunteer efforts to provide medical care, food, and shelter to abandoned and injured animals. The government must allocate more funds to support such organizations, provide land for shelters, and implement sterilization programs to control the stray animal population humanely.
Local communities also have a crucial role to play. Many people view stray animals as a nuisance rather than beings deserving of care. Public awareness campaigns should be launched to encourage empathy and responsible behaviour. Schools should include animal welfare education in their curriculum to instill compassion from a young age. Furthermore, residents should participate in feeding and caring for stray animals rather than shunning or harming them. Housing societies and local governing bodies must facilitate community-driven efforts to manage stray populations without resorting to inhumane measures like mass culling.
Individuals, too, can contribute in many ways—by adopting rather than buying pets, supporting local animal shelters, and reporting cases of abuse. Social media has become a powerful tool to highlight cases of cruelty and demand justice. However, awareness alone is insufficient; there must be actionable policies and a collective effort to protect animals from neglect and abuse.
A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable—animals included. The government, communities, and individuals must act with urgency to uphold the principle of compassion. It is not just about protecting animals; it is about preserving our own humanity.