AGARTALA, Aug 13: Former royal scion of Tripura, Pradyot Manikya, has publicly voiced his strong opposition to the Supreme Court’s recent directive ordering the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi NCR within six to eight weeks.
Calling the decision “hasty and inhumane,” Manikya criticised the absence of strategic planning, logistics assessment, and consultation with animal welfare organisations, which he said are crucial to handling the issue effectively and compassionately.
“The idea of removing animals from the streets without proper rehabilitation or long-term care sets a dangerous precedent. Today, it is Delhi NCR; tomorrow, it could be anywhere in the country,” he warned.
Manikya, known for his advocacy for animal welfare in Tripura, pledged personal support to local organisations working to build shelters and implement humane solutions for strays. “We have a responsibility to show compassion, love, and care for all living beings. The world belongs to them too,” he wrote on social media.
He urged authorities to reconsider the order and work with experts to find a balanced solution that ensures the safety and dignity of both humans and animals.
The Supreme Court’s August 11 ruling follows a surge in dog bite incidents and rabies cases in Delhi, with official records showing 35,198 bites and 49 rabies deaths so far this year. The order mandates capturing, sterilising, vaccinating, and relocating an estimated 600,000–1 million stray dogs to shelters.
While some residents support the move in light of tragic attacks, animal rights groups and prominent public figures have condemned it as cruel, advocating instead for large-scale sterilisation and vaccination drives. Protests have erupted near India Gate, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has begun capturing aggressive strays in high-risk areas, despite facing severe infrastructure and funding constraints.
