Impractical, financially unviable: Maneka Gandhi slams top court's stray dog order
"You have three lakh dogs in Delhi. To get them all off the roads, you'll have to make 3,000 pounds, each with drainage, water, a shed, a kitchen, and a watchman. That will cost about Rs 15,000 crore. Does Delhi have Rs 15,000 crore for this?" she told PTI.Feeding the impounded dogs, she added, would require another Rupees 5 crore a week, which could spark a public backlash.Gandhi alleged the case was taken up "for absolutely no reason" based on a fake newspaper report of dogs attacking a girl who later died "unfortunately, of meningitis, as her parents have confirmed".She suggested the order may have been passed "in anger" and without considering feasibility.The former Union minister also questioned the legality of the ruling, noting that a different Supreme Court bench had passed a "balanced judgment" on the same issue just a month earlier."Now, after one month, a two-member bench gives another judgment which says 'sabko pakdo' (pick up all). Which judgment is valid? Obviously, the first one, because that's a settled judgment," Gandhi said.Warning of unintended consequences, she said removing strays could invite other ecological problems."Within 48 hours, three lakh dogs will come from Ghaziabad, Faridabad because there's food in Delhi. And once you remove the dogs, monkeys will come on the ground... I've seen this happen at my own house. In Paris in the 1880s, when they removed dogs and cats, the city was overrun with rats," she said, calling dogs "rodent control animals".Gandhi argued that the government already had a roadmap agreed upon after extensive consultations to control the dog population and reduce biting incidents through stricter enforcement of sterilisation, anti-rabies and distemper vaccinations, banning relocation, and monitoring animal birth control (ABC) centres."If the relocation stops, the biting will stop," she said, blaming current relocation practices for much of the violence.She recommended that ABC centres operate within designated zones, be run only by Animal Welfare Board-recognised entities, and be monitored by committees of local residents.Gandhi also flagged the role of unregulated pet dog sales, claiming that "70 per cent of bites are from pet dogs and 30 per cent from street dogs".advertisement"This government was extremely serious about adopting our 14-point plan. Within two years, we could have fewer dogs, no biting, and a happy coexistence between humans and animals," she said. "Now this judgment derails everything."The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also cautioned that the order could spark street clashes."To get them into pounds, you will have a pitched battle with feeders in every street because they will beat you up and make the dogs run away. Why are we destabilising Delhi?" she said.The Delhi government has indicated it will follow the court's order, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta saying the stray dog menace has assumed "gigantic proportion" and assuring that the government will soon come up with a policy to implement the order in a planned manner.Delhi Development Minister Kapil Mishra said the move will "free the city from the fear of rabies and stray animals".- EndsTrending Reel
IN THIS STORY#Supreme Court
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
4 minutes ago
- The Hindu
The politics of insurgency, the decline of Naxalism
Across history, making predictions has been a hazardous task. Nevertheless, leaders of all types continue to make predictions, only a few of which turn out to be true. In today's world, where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is leading to more uncertainty, making predictions has become still more hazardous. For most of history, the safest prediction has been that things will continue to be much as they are. Political leaders should heed this. A case of contrasts A concern across the world is that a quarter of century after the September 11, 2001 attack on the Twin Towers in New York, the threat of terrorism, far from receding or abating, still remains alive. Many instances of 'copycat killings' continue to take place. There has also been a spurt in Islamic State (IS)- inspired vehicle rammings of late, the most publicised case being the one which took place in New Orleans, U.S. on January 1 this year. Well before the New Orleans attack, the IS had orchestrated and inspired several other attacks of a similar nature across Europe. Counter-terrorism experts believe that Jihadist groups were only beginning to intensify their terror attacks in several countries. Online campaigns were, meanwhile, inciting more 'lone wolf' attacks. Alongside this, anti-Israel protests in many parts of the world, seemed to provide more grist to IS and al -Qaeda-sponsored terror campaigns. Doomsday predictions that tomorrow's terrorists will be even involved in more sanguinary campaigns than earlier ones are emerging. This is thanks to the advent of AI. The warnings are that AI-enabled terrorists, together with terrorists, are gaining access to 'bio weapons', which could lead to the killing of thousands. Another given prediction is that misaligned AI could break free of all human control to unleash unthinkable harm on society and the world at large. The scenario above is, however, very different from what is being seen in India of late, which features a declining curve in militancy, at least of ideologically-oriented terrorism. The accepted wisdom is that the current declining curve of Naxalite or Maoist violence heralds an end to ideological terrorism in the country. A normally taciturn Union Home Minister himself indicated that the end of Naxalism is near, and that mid-2026 would mark the final demise of Naxalite violence. If so, it would spell the end of what was once perceived to be a vibrant, ideologically-driven, militant movement which, in its heyday, had captured the imagination of youth and intellectuals, and also energised what philosopher Frantz Fanon had referred to as the 'wretched of the earth', viz., tribals in the deepest forests and the 'urban poor' in the cities. Till now, however, what had been witnessed were several 'false dawns' (as for instance towards the end of 1970s and at least twice thereafter prior to the end of 20th century). The elimination of Naxalite violence had, however, never been officially pronounced till date. The revolutionary fervour seemed to evaporate all too soon. Even while revolutionary leaders such as Charu Mazumdar, Kanu Sanyal, Satyanarayan Singh, and Kondapalli Seetharamaiah were being extolled, the movement had slowly started losing much of its sheen, degenerating into mindless violence — initially in the urban areas, but soon thereafter even in the interior jungles of the country. A once integrated revolutionary movement soon split into separate regional entities, though the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) remained for quite some time, the leading light of the movement. An all-India fervour was markedly absent, and the movement became centered around the hilly and forested regions of central India, especially in States such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. The promise of a 'Spring Thunder Over India' in the early 1960s, had, no doubt, attracted some of the best and the brightest of the generation at the time, who were fired by a revolutionary zeal (following the successful revolutions in China and other parts of the world, including South America). The heroes of the time were revolutionaries such as China's Chairman Mao, Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh, and South America's Che Guevara and the like. Even as Charu Mazumdar of Bengal was being hailed as 'the new Messiah', the resounding slogan was 'China's Chairman is our Chairman'. Yet, the early promise has begun to be dispelled. The campaign against Naxalism Beginning in 2024, and under directions from the Union Home Minister, a sustained offensive was launched against militant Naxalite groups in different States. The data on Naxalites killed in encounters vary, but it is generally accepted that a few thousands were eliminated. Police chiefs in the worst Naxalite-affected areas have provided their own counts of the numbers of Naxalites eliminated or killed. But perhaps, the most authentic figure on the numbers could be found in a booklet released by the once banned CPI (Maoist), which admitted that during the past year alone, 357 Naxalites had been killed in encounters with security forces across the country. Among the killed, according to this report, more than a third belonged to the women's cadre. The epicentre of violence was the Dandakaranya region which spans parts of Bastar district in Chhattisgarh, Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and several areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The shrinkage of territory was compounded by internal bickerings and a series of leadership crises since the removal of M. Lakshman Rao alias Ganapathi in 2018. On the surface, the war on Naxalism might seem to parallel United States President Donald Trump's 'war on terror', launched soon after he took over as President for a second term. Yet, there are marked differences. The U.S. President's offensive was launched not so much against ideologically inspired militants or terrorists, but against those elements who did not believe in any ideology other than that of attacking the 'great Satan'. The offensive launched by the U.S. was, hence, markedly different from that employed in India, where Naxalites lived and identified closely with villagers and their ilk. The use of brute force was not seen till recently as the answer, except in exceptional circumstances. To compare the U.S. President's attacks against Jihadists in Somalia and Yemen — based on the logic that Jihadist groups were plotting against the U.S. — with the tactics employed by the Indian security forces against Naxalites would, hence, be an error. There were, and still exist, many checks and balances in the Indian context on the use of deadly force, even against adversaries who believe in overthrowing the established order through violence. The campaign against Naxalites and Naxalite violence, has, by and large, been conducted along certain well-defined lines. Preventing revolutionary groups, however high-minded they may proclaim to be, and irrespective of the grievances they have, from disturbing the established order has, however, been the set objective of whichever government has/governments have been in power in Delhi or in the States. Admittedly, the original Naxalites were filled with revolutionary fervour and were intent on putting in place a more democratic order. However, having failed to achieve their objective, they soon began to resort to indiscriminate violence. Having said this, it is also true that even while they resorted to indiscriminate violence, most groups retained a veneer of ideology. A new term The distinction is important and vital. Currently, the misuse of the term 'urban naxals' has given a distorted view of the original Naxalite movement. The origin of the 'Spring Thunder Over India' initiated in the late 1960s, was based on certain principles, however misdirected these might have been. The Marxist-Leninist Movement also had a well-defined structure and a robust philosophy. While not denigrating today's 'urban naxals', the latter seem, at least for the present, to be a loose-knit group of intellectuals who are opposed to the actions of the administration and the government on several policy aspects. Today's 'urban naxals' have little in common with the original Naxalites. Wrong classification could and would have unintended consequences. Inability to identify, comprehend and implement policies to address such matters can again magnify the risk they pose. Better understanding of the factors involved is needed to avoid incurring high latent costs. It is vital to avoid blind spots that arise due to cognitive bias or short-sightedness. M.K. Narayanan is a former Director, Intelligence Bureau, a former National Security Adviser, and a former Governor of West Bengal
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Datanomics: Migration overtakes death for voter deletion in Bihar SIR
These revisions removed 9.4 million voters, with 1.7 million and 1.6 million deletions in 2009-10 and 2023-24, respectively. Jayant Pankaj New Delhi Listen to This Article The Supreme Court on August 14 directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish a booth-wise list of 6.5 million voters proposed to be excluded from Bihar's electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The last SIR in Bihar was held in 2003. Between 2008-09 and 2024-25, the ECI conducted 17 Special Summary Revisions (SSRs), typically from October to December, using January 1 as the qualifying date. These revisions removed 9.4 million voters, with 1.7 million and 1.6 million deletions in 2009-10 and 2023-24, respectively. The current SIR would surpass previous records if all the deletions proposed are
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
T will be a ‘game changer' in India's $30 trillion vision: CM
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday used his Independence Day address at Golconda Fort to project Telangana as a 'game changer' in the transformation of India into a $30 trillion economy, while making a strong appeal to the Centre to clear the pending 42% BC reservation bills. "Telangana means business, and there will be protection for investments and profits too, creating jobs and development," he declared, vowing that the state would not rest until it was 'number one on the world stage' despite inheriting over Rs 8 lakh crore in debt from the previous BRS regime. Unveiling his govt's long-term roadmap, Revanth announced that the 'Telangana Rising–2047' vision document would be released before Dec 9. It targets a $1 trillion state economy by 2035 and $3 trillion by 2047, alongside transforming Hyderabad into a global city to compete with New York, Tokyo, Singapore. He urged citizens to join the govt in "repulsing conspiracies by vested interests." You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad On the BC reservation bills, Revanth was emphatic. "On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day celebrations, I once again demand the Centre to take a quick decision on the pending 42 per cent quota bills and ordinance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Social justice is in the DNA of the Congress. We have categorised the SCs and fulfilled their decades long dream. We have done our part by conducting a caste survey, passing the two quota bills and the ordinance. Now, it is up to the central govt to approve them," he emphasised. Talking about water rights on the Krishna and Godavari rivers, the CM said his govt was working on a strategic plan to secure permanent rights and rectify "losses caused by the negligence of past rulers." He pledged completion of pending irrigation projects to benefit the last ayacut of Telangana. Listing out welfare and development measures, he said: "Our govt has spent Rs 1.13 lakh crore on farmers' welfare alone, Rs 46,689 crore on women's welfare, and given 60,000 govt jobs to youth." Revanth also detailed the financial challenges inherited by the Congress govt — Rs 8.21 lakh crore in total liabilities, including Rs 6.71 lakh crore in debts, Rs 40,154 crore in dues to employees and schemes, and Rs 1.09 lakh crore in arrears for SC/ST sub-plans, Singareni, electricity, and other departments. "We have completed the debt service of Rs 2.20 lakh crore — Rs 1.32 lakh crore principal and Rs 88,178 crore towards interest — since the Congress came to power," he claimed. Despite this burden, he said, "We are moving forward with the inspiration of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi and the builder of a new India, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the support of the people. I strongly believe in the saying — Where there is a will, there is a way. We have a will… we have a vision. Telangana Rising–2047. This govt's mission is to make that vision a reality." Revanth framed his govt's approach as a 'two-pronged strategy' — competing with global cities on one side and delivering welfare to the poor on the other. "We have developed Telangana as a role model for the country within 20 months, scripting a new history of transparency in governance, modernity in development, and welfare," he added. The ceremony concluded with the CM presenting awards to meritorious police officials and handing over a Rs 1 crore cheque to singer Rahul Sipliganj, who gained global recognition with the Oscar-winning song 'Naatu Naatu' from RRR film. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
