Hundreds of animal lovers and activists held peaceful protests, demanding stringent laws on cruelty towards animals. Protest against the petty penalty of Rs 100 for killing an animal.
Mumbai: The citizens of Mumbai who have always fought for human rights staged protest for the rights of animals on Sunday morning. Admist pouring rains more than 100 animal lovers and vigilantes, led by ‘Aaj ki Awaaz’, a social welfare organization gathered at a BMC park, located on Yari Road in Versova to protest and unanimously demand for strengthening the 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' law.
An angry butcher in Goregaon killed a dog, orphaning her six puppies who were barely 3-weeks-old at the time of the incident, leading to a wave of anger amongst the animal lovers. “In the last few years, incidents of harassment of animals, especially killing of stray dogs have increased in Mumbai. To avoid human cruelty similar to that of the Goregaon case and such other traumatic events in the future, we have no other option left but to demand for stringent 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' law, said Ajay Kaul, convenor of ‘Animals have feelings too’ campaign and President of ‘Aaj ki Awaaz’.
“The 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act' was passed in our country in 1960. If a person commits any act of cruelty against animals for the first time the penalty should not be less than Rs. 10; but it may be increased to more than Rs. 50. As per the law, an offence has been committed for the second time or has been committed again within a span of three years then the penalty amount should not be less than Rs 25 and can be increased to Rs 100, with an imprisonment of three months,” informed animal lover Mr. Ajay Kaul.
Organizations like Bezuban Buzzo Hope for Strays, Lions Club of Bombay Oceanic, and Movement for Citizens Awareness, Yari Road Kalavihar Association, Mahiti Seva Samiti and Aaj Ki Awaaz had joined the protest, demanding for stringent laws to prevent cruelty towards animals. They were seen holding placards creating awareness about the importance of animal protection laws and demanding strict action against the culprit.
“If a person or an animal murderer gets free by paying a petty amount of just Rs 20, 50 or 100, then what’s the use of such laws? If such gruesome incidents have to be stopped then the government should make stringent laws for animal protection, demands animal lovers and activists,” said Mr. Ajay Kaul, President of ‘Aaj Ki Awaaz’.
Mumbaikars
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