Show compassion for stray dogs, Buddhist scholars urge Supreme Court

Time of India

a day ago

NEW DELHI: Eminent Buddhist scholars have urged the Supreme Court to review its order on the removal of stray dogs from public spaces in Delhi-NCR, advocating more compassionate alternatives and humane solutions like sterilisation and immunisation over mass confinement in pounds.
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Prof Indra Narain Singh, head of Buddhist Studies department,
, told TOI that the recent SC order to relocate the strays from Delhi-NCR to shelter homes in far-off areas is nothing "but a death sentence for the mute dogs who can't defend themselves in a court of law".
"The order against the dogs is inhumane. Dogs have been closely associated with humans from ancient times, and they have proved themselves as friends of human beings, not enemies," the noted scholar said.
In Kukkura Jataka, he said, the Bodhisattva was a stray dog who led his pack to justice after the local king had ordered the indiscriminate culling of all dogs except his own over suspicion that the strays had eaten his precious chariot straps.
"The Bodhisattva proved that the same were gnawed by the King's own dogs and eventually taught him the importance of righteousness and justice. We also need to show compassion for our ancient friends," Prof Singh said.
Dr Upanand Thero of Youth Buddhist Society of India also echoed similar views. "If the SC's order results in cruel treatment of death of the stray dogs, it would be absolutely unethical from a Buddhist point of view because it breaks the principles of ahimsa and karuna."
Urging for a compassionate solution, Thero, also an assistant professor at International Research institute of Buddhist Studies, Lucknow, said, "Buddhism encourages seeking solutions that let animals live freely and safely without confinement."