14 December 2021

Animal cruelty is on the rise these days. When many nations, including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom, have rigorous animal legislation and animal protection policies, India lags behind in enacting more stringent rules that will make a difference. The existing animal regulations are not very rigorous, which allows people who engage in animal cruelty to get away with it.

In Spain, a law was just approved that recognizes animals as sentient creatures. The French parliament, on the other hand, passes legislation that permanently prohibits mink farming. In other news, the UK government recognizes lobsters, crabs, and octopuses as sentient beings and prohibits live boiling for food.

When countries all around the world are adopting such actions, it is only a matter of time before India takes action to ensure better animal policies. And this was shown in a recent parliamentary debate when lawmaker and actress Hema Malini presented an agenda with the goal of speaking on modifications to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.

THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 1960

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, authored by acclaimed dancer and animal lover, Rukmini Devi Arundale, is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted in 1960 to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and to amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals. Though the act was recognized in 1960, it only commenced in 1974.

Smt Hema Malini recently addressed in parliament, citing Article 51 (a) of the constitution, which states that inhabitants of India have a duty to conserve the environment, which includes lakes, rivers, and animals. Despite such efforts, many animal cruelty instances occur in India on a daily basis, which is brought to light by the media and other animal welfare organizations.

Some noteworthy cases include the death of a pregnant elephant who ate an exploding pineapple, dogs being beaten to death and set on fire, dragging dogs tied to motorbikes, raping a cow, and killing monkeys and setting them on fire for limited human pleasure. Such behaviors render the government's legislation meaningless.

THE DISCUSSION IN LOK SABHA

Smt Hema Malini quotes, "Ours is six-decade old legislation with no big modifications in recent decades.  The modest monetary penalty levied on such cribs, as little as Rs 10-100, is another reason for the legislation's inability to act accordingly."

"Severe punishment should be meted out to these terrible people," she continues. "According to what I've been told, the government has received numerous petitions and suggestions from various animal welfare organizations seeking to improve the lives of animals to strengthen the penalties."

India needs stronger animal protection laws to be able to help animals feel safer in their environments.