Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Faces Backlash Over Supreme Court Dog Ruling Statement

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has triggered a political and legal controversy after announcing a state-wide campaign targeting stray and “dangerous” dogs, following what he described as a recent directive from the Supreme Court of India. His remarks, however, have drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and animal welfare advocates who say the statement misinterprets the court’s ruling.

In a social media post, Mann stated that the Punjab government would initiate action against stray and aggressive dogs that pose risks to children and pedestrians, thanking the Supreme Court for its decision. The post quickly sparked debate, with critics arguing that the announcement went beyond the scope of judicial directions and risked encouraging unlawful action against animals without due process.

Opposition voices, including BJP leader Tejinder Pal Singh Bagga, claimed that the chief minister had misrepresented the Supreme Court’s order. Bagga said he had written to the Chief Justice of India, asserting that the ruling permits action only in specific cases involving rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous animals, and only after proper veterinary assessment. He emphasised that no blanket culling or mass elimination drive is permitted under the law.

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Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria also weighed in, urging restraint and strict adherence to legal guidelines. He stated that any action concerning stray animals must follow due process and court directives. Kataria further emphasised that animals are living beings and that policy responses must be balanced, lawful, and humane rather than driven by blanket enforcement measures.

Former MLA and medical professional Navjot Kaur Sidhu also criticised the chief minister’s statement, describing it as overly harsh and calling for a more humane approach. She advocated for sterilisation programmes, vaccination drives, improved shelter infrastructure, and responsible pet ownership systems as sustainable solutions to manage stray dog populations while ensuring public safety.

The controversy has highlighted the ongoing tension between public safety concerns and animal welfare considerations in urban governance. Legal experts note that while states are empowered to address stray animal issues, such measures must operate strictly within constitutional and judicial frameworks, ensuring that public communication accurately reflects court orders and avoids misinterpretation.

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