The ongoing lockdown has been difficult on all of us; it has been extremely stressful on stray animals who depend on human beings for their welfare. Fortunately, there are plenty of animal activists who, even in a dire situation like this one, are going out of their way to ensure that stray animals do not suffer.
However, some people just don't understand goodwill and use violence to prevent animal activists from doing their job.
A horrifying video of an animal activist named Ayesha Christina, who was covered in blood, went viral on the Internet a couple of days ago. In the clip, Christina recalls a bone-chilling incident when she and her fellow animal activists were out rescuing stray dogs and were attacked by some people in Delhi's Rani Bagh area.
The video was recorded by Christina at Azadpur Police Station where she explained her ordeal in great detail. She, along with her team, were harassed by people while they were doing their job and when they stood up for themselves, they were thrashed.?
Aside from being mercilessly beaten up to the point that their clothes were torn, Christina also showed their car, which was completely bashed up. She then points the camera towards the police officials and says, “This is how seriously we are taken,” as the cops appear uninterested in the bloodshed.
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Ayesha and her team run the website neighbourhoodwoof.org and they rescue stray animals.?
Such incidents are not unheard of and it is extremely disturbing to know that there are malicious people out there who will do anything to stop animal activists from helping out voiceless beings.
So, if you or someone you know could be at risk for helping out animals, here is what you should know.
First, you have rights that protect you.?
According to a Delhi High Court judgement from 2017, there are absolutely no laws that can prohibit a person from feeding stray animals. As long as no nuisance is being created for the residents of the concerned area, anyone and everyone can feed stray animals.
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An animal activist's first concern is to feed the stray but also ensure that people around them don't face any inconvenience.?
What happened to Christina and her team is straight up physical assault; According to Section 352 of the Indian Penal Code - 'Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both'.
Another important thing - the Animal Welfare Board of India issues IDs for people who feed/help stray animals. These IDs help animal activists protect animals from people who want to inflict harm on them.?
Article 51A of the Constitutional Law of India, states the duties of every Indian citizen.?
One of these duties is to have compassion for living creatures. So, the animal lover is protected under the Constitution.
Article 19 of the Constitution of India, deals with right to freedom and in this freedomcomes the right to profession, occupation, trade and business. Therefore, every citizen has the right to occupation and if someone has taken the caring of animalsas their occupation, it is legal and they have every right to carry on with his occupation.? ?
Article 21 of the Constitution of India states the right to personal life and liberty. So, if someone wants to feed and provide shelter to dogs, he/she is at liberty to do it.
They have the same right to liberty that the law provides to every citizen of India.?
Section 503 of the Indian Penal Code 1860, provides that intimidation is a criminaloffence which is cognizable. Anyone who threatens or intimidates any person taking careof dogs, is liable for criminal intimidation under Section 503 of Indian Penal Code andcan be arrested without a warrant.?
However, above any law and right, human beings have a natural right which is a universal right. It is inherent in the nature of ethics and is subject to change on human actions or beliefs.
This right is claimed to exist even when it is not enforced by the Government and it is the right of the individual and is considered beyond the authority of a Government or any organisation body to dismiss.
The choice of loving, caring, feeding and providing shelter to stray animals is the natural right of any individual.?
Going back to the Delhi High Court's 2017 judgement, it was stated that the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Municipal Authorities, have in the guidelines issued by them, the problems which are frequently faced by people who adopt/rescue/feed stray animals.
The court emphasised on the fact that the people who devote their time towards animal welfare are contributing immensely to society and in a way, assisting the Municipal Authorities by providing the animals with food, shelter, treatment etc.
Without them, the local Municipal Authority will fail to carry out its ABC programme. The Court also mentioned that local police and the Municipal authorities are under obligation to encourage such goodwill of animal activists and also provide protection to them if they are in harm's way. The Court added that every individual has the right to live his/her life the way they want to and it is of utmost importance that the society recognises and accepts the same.
It is disheartening to know that people who just want to do good and make sure animals on roads and in streets are well taken care of, are being subjected to such treatment. They deserve a lot better.