Bollywood Stars Debate Supreme Court’s Stray Dog Order in Delhi-NCR

The Supreme Court ordered the immediate removal of all stray dogs from Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), including Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad, to shelters within eight weeks, citing a surge in dog bite incidents and rabies-related deaths. The directive, issued by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, mandates that civic authorities create shelters for approximately 5,000 dogs, equipped with sterilization, vaccination facilities, and CCTV monitoring, while prohibiting the return of dogs to public spaces. The court also threatened legal action against anyone obstructing the process, emphasizing public safety, particularly for children vulnerable to rabies.

This order, prompted by a suo motu case following reports of 26,334 dog bite cases in Delhi in 2025 and 54 rabies deaths nationwide in 2024, has ignited a fierce debate, with Bollywood celebrities like John Abraham, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vir Das leading a passionate outcry against it, advocating for humane alternatives.

John Abraham, a long-time animal rights advocate and PETA India’s first honorary director, penned an open letter to Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on August 12, urging a review of the ruling. He argued that the directive contradicts the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which mandate sterilization, vaccination, and return of community dogs to their habitats, a method endorsed by the World Health Organization since 1990.

Abraham emphasized that these dogs are not mere strays but “community dogs—respected and loved by many, and very much Delhiites in their own right.” He cited successful ABC programs in Jaipur (70% sterilization rate) and Lucknow (84%), noting that Delhi’s estimated 10 lakh community dogs could be similarly managed to reduce bites and rabies while maintaining territorial stability. He warned that mass relocation is impractical, inhumane, and risks inviting unvaccinated dogs into vacated areas, escalating public health concerns.

Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan echoed Abraham’s sentiments on Instagram Stories, sharing a heartfelt note that described the order as a “death sentence” for Delhi’s dogs. “They call it a menace. We call it a heartbeat,” the note read, portraying community dogs as integral to the city’s fabric—greeting shopkeepers, guarding streets, and comforting residents. They argued that caging dogs strips them of sunlight, freedom, and familiar connections, proposing instead large-scale sterilization, vaccination drives, community feeding zones, and adoption campaigns. Kapoor’s post underscored the moral cost, stating, “A society that can’t protect its voiceless is a society losing its soul.”

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Vir Das, an actor-comedian and indie dog owner, took to Instagram on August 11, urging Delhi residents to adopt street dogs and support animal welfare NGOs. “They’re extremely healthy, low maintenance, and will provide you with more love, affection, and gratitude than you could ever imagine,” he wrote, sharing a photo of his adopted indie dogs. Das emphasized immediate action, noting that while legal appeals progress, “it’s important for our humanity to kick in.” His call to action resonated with fans, reinforcing the emotional bond many Delhiites share with community dogs.

Other celebrities, including Raveena Tandon, Bhumi Pednekar, Chinmayi Sripaada, and Adivi Sesh, also criticized the order. Tandon, speaking to HT City, blamed inadequate sterilization and vaccination efforts by local bodies, arguing that proper implementation could prevent such drastic measures.

Pednekar shared a Mahatma Gandhi quote on Instagram, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated,” alongside a poignant image of a stray dog. Former minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi called the order “impractical” and “financially unviable,” estimating a need for 2,000 shelters to house Delhi’s dogs, while PETA India deemed mass relocation “unscientific” and unfeasible.

The court’s ruling, driven by public safety concerns, highlighted 3.7 million dog bite cases and 54 rabies deaths nationwide in 2024, with Delhi alone reporting 26,334 cases this year. Supporters, including Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra and Congress leader P Chidambaram, praised the order as a step toward safer streets, with Mishra crediting an NDTV campaign for raising awareness.

However, critics argue it ignores India’s ABC Rules and risks overwhelming civic infrastructure, with no clear plan for sheltering an estimated 10 lakh dogs. Protests erupted at India Gate on August 11, with police detaining animal rights activists and caregivers who called the order a “knee-jerk reaction” to systemic failures in sterilization programs.

The debate underscores a broader tension between public safety and animal welfare. While the court prioritizes reducing rabies risks, celebrities and activists advocate for science-backed solutions like TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return), successfully implemented in countries like Morocco and Singapore.

As Delhi grapples with this polarizing order, the voices of Abraham, Kapoor, Das, and others amplify a call for compassion, urging a balance between human safety and the rights of community dogs who have long been part of the city’s soul.

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