Mahatma Gandhi said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Unfortunately in India, horrific incidents of cruelty to animals, are reported day in and day out. A lot of them go unreported and are brushed under the carpet.
Animals are beaten up, thrown off rooftops, attacked with acid, even face sexual abuse.
A recent incident in which an elephant in Kerala died after consuming a pineapple filled with explosives, sparked major outrage across the country.
The root cause of the problem lies in a set of weak laws and an even weaker punishment when it comes to animal cruelty. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, a fine of just ₹50 is slapped for heinous crimes against animals.
There have been numerous social media campaigns, calling for amendments to the law. The Constitution of India requires citizens to show a sense of compassion for living creatures.
On World Animal Day, we at editorji urge that you all make animal rights a priority. Remember, animals are sentient beings, they feel pain and love just like us.