• Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a light-hearted take on the ongoing debate surrounding the relocation of dogs in Delhi-NCR, using a brief anecdote to highlight what he suggested were double standards among some animal lovers.

Addressing an event at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on Friday, PM Modi shared an anecdote about his recent meeting with animal lovers. “Recently, I met some animal lovers. Our country has many animal lovers, and most of them do not consider the cow as an animal,” India Today quoted PM Modi as saying.

The remark prompted hearty laughter from the audience, with even Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat being seen chuckling in response.

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PM Modi Remarks On Animal Lovers Amid Stray Dogs Controversy

The Prime Minister’s response was interpreted as a veiled criticism of the selective compassion shown by some animal lovers. Through his remark, he appeared to highlight the inconsistency in how animal welfare is perceived, questioning why some animal lovers show empathy towards stray dogs but not to other animals like cows. His underlying message was that animal compassion should not be ‘selective’ and the term ‘animal’ does not only apply to street dogs or pet dogs.

His comments come days after the Supreme Court directed the removal of stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets and confinement to shelters. The order was issued in response to the rising cases of dog bites and rabies.

However, the Supreme Court’s directive triggered widespread public backlash from the animal activists and celebrities who expressed concern about the potential mistreatment of stray dogs in animal shelters. The widespread public outrage prompted the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court to modify the earlier directive.

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In a significant shift, the Supreme Court directed the authorities to allow the vaccinated and dewormed dogs to be returned to the streets from where they were picked up. This decision was largely welcomed by the animal welfare groups.