Intolerance Versus Humaneness | Flash Post 350

Button, on one of our trips to feed strays in our locality, chotididi was accosted by an occupant of one of the apartments who gravely threatened her with dire consequences if we didn’t stop feeding them.

Really? What happened next?

Chotididi kept her cool, took her phone out and showed him a copy of the Delhi High Court’s judgement which clearly said that it has passed AN ORDER ASKING THE POLICE TO PROVIDE PROTECTION TO DOGS AND DOG FEEDERS AND HAS MADE IT A PUNISHABLE OFFENCE IN CASE ANYONE RESTRICTS, PROHIBITS OR CAUSES INCONVENIENCE TO ANY PERSON FEEDING A STREET DOG OR RESORTS TO REMOVAL OR DISLOCATION OR KILLING A DOG.

SECTION 503 OF THE INDIAN PENAL CODE 1860 PROVIDES THAT INTIMIDATION IS COGNIZABLE. ANYONE WHO THREATENS OR INTIMIDATES ANY PERSON TAKING CARE OF DOGS IS LIABLE FOR CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION UNDER SECTION 503 OF THE INDIAN PENAL CODE AND CAN BE ARRESTED WITHOUT A WARRANT…” of course there’s more.

That’s a huge relief.

Absolutely.

I wonder what’s gone wrong with humans! What could be the reason for their turn-around from a humane species into such a heartless one!

It’s sad that we’ve lost the ability to love, to give care to those who are less fortunate than us. Will the quest for a Swacch Bharat undo our humaneness?

I see the both of you still going out to feed those strays.

And we will. I don’t know about choti but it’s certainly my way of giving back to society. If we don’t care for them, who will!

8 Comments

farida azmi February 26, 2019 at 10:37 am

I am a muslim and i have always been told that we cannot go near dogs or keep them as pets…but from a very young age, i have always been an animal lover always looking to adopt or take care of these street kids..i have 2 dogs at home and both are pariahs…people keep telling me I am disobeying our Allah but I don’t listen…i follow my heart

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author February 27, 2019 at 11:13 am

My dear Farida,

That’s wonderful. We should always do what our inner voice tells us to do.

We have a dog sitter who is also a Muslim and she has been doing this job, apart from training dogs, for years now. We have grown so close that she’s like a family member.

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Bianca Gomes March 9, 2019 at 9:22 am

There’s a woman in my building who takes care of many many stray dogs in my area. I live in Chembur. But the building society is so cruel and misbehaves with her and threatens her all the time for bringing these little ones into the building. We are so scared that even we don’t find the courage to help her. I will show her this new law today so that she can show it to the society and they will leave her alone…this is a huge thing…thank you author..

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- author March 10, 2019 at 7:15 pm
  
  Dear Bianca,
  
  Please do and lend her the courage so she can go out and give care to many more strays. The fact is that if we don’t care for other species, who will?
  
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vandana shetty March 10, 2019 at 11:52 am

My family just adopted a stray puppy…we realised that instead of just talking, if we really have to make a difference, we need to do 3 things: Help NGOs with their sterilisation drives, adopt when we can, get others to adopt when they can. Build a network of animal lovers and keep spreading the word. And for those unfortunate ones who are still on the streets, take care of them. Give them love, food and water. Let’s all do our best…

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- author March 10, 2019 at 7:22 pm
  
  My dear Vandana,
  
  One of my staff members who has been with our family for over 30 years, has learnt to care for stray cats and dogs by collecting chicken parts that are not eaten by humans, boiling them every day and feeding this to strays after seeing our love for stray cats and dogs. Setting an example is a nice way of teaching others to serve society.
  
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ruchin mehta March 10, 2019 at 11:54 am

I think what we all need to understand is that it’s okay of you cannot adopt or it’s okay if you cannot find any love in your heart for animals. But it’s not okay to operate from the other extreme of hate. You don’t have to hate another life just because you can’t love it. Be human. That’s all we’re asking. If others are showing love towards these poor things, let them and don’t come in their way.

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author March 10, 2019 at 7:27 pm

My dear Ruchir,

You’ve explained it so beautifully. A lot of us do lip service and stop others from doing the good work they intend to do. This is so wrong and we need to correct that.

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