When we decided to do our cover story on gruesome incidents of cruelty against street animals, we knew we had taken on a daunting task. All -especially those involved in animal welfare-talk about the abuses and share videos and pictures, but anonymously. Ask them to reveal their identity and the facts that should be revealed for the law to come into action, and they refuse to talk! Even media representatives and officials of some well-known animal welfare organisations such as the government-appointed Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), the various SPCAs (that are now directly accountable to the AWBI) as well as the Humane Society of India (HSI) that is responsible for overseeing the sterilisation operations in street dogs- the reality of which we all know! It was very shocking for our correspondent to come across a livid member secretary of the Maharashtra AWBI -Dr Sheetal Kumar Mukhane- screaming crazily into the mouthpiece: “Who gave you my number? I don’t have time to answer all these questions- I am very busy” (Busy? Doing What? It cannot be your duty Mukhane, going by the increasing incidents of unimaginable criminal cases taking place in your circle!) Mukhane seems to be one of the many who come into ‘animal welfare’ only to mint money and save for a secure future for their children and grandchildren! I wonder if one of his kids is studying (or settled) abroad too! It is also evident that he is unaware of Freedom of the Press and our Right to Information! Some capable hands the powers rest into, eh? Earlier the PRO had also evaded queries. I wonder why AWBI is so scared to speak on a subject that needs to be highlighted to the maximum. Elite talks at closed-door conferences serve no purpose- aah, funds can be shown as used!
While on the one hand, there are these shady organisations, on the other hand, organisations like PETA and PFA save the face of genuine animal workers! Everyone in PETA India is forthcoming with information and not scared to call a spade a spade! Then, the candidness of Maneka Gandhi, who told our correspondent very honestly that this issue should be raised with every MLA and MP, is a promise that there are some leaders (in politics as well as animal welfare) towards whom we can look for help to secure a cruelty-free future for our animals and birds- after all, they are parts of Nature. Yes, public representatives should be questioned and held responsible for cruelty towards animals in their respective areas. Nature heals but when it is inflicted upon so many wounds, it will be too defeated to heal you- it will then begin to harm you! Don't say you were not warned!
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