पशु क्रूरता कानून कितना न्याय संगत?

Summary

The article examines the inadequacy of animal cruelty laws in India, arguing that government policies promoting meat consumption and exports have led to increased violence and a threat of famine. It contends that state support for violence is destroying India's spiritual culture, which was historically a global teacher of non-violence, truth, and compassion. The author criticizes the government for inviting companies to supply fresh meat, opening mechanized slaughterhouses for export, and encouraging animal husbandry practices like rabbit, fish, and egg "farming," which they view as misleading terminology that erodes compassion. The article highlights contradictions in the law: while cruelty to animals is punishable, killing them carries no penalty, and slaughterhouses openly violate cruelty laws. It notes that the Supreme Court's 1956 decision to accept animal slaughter as a legitimate trade ignored teachings of non-violence and compassion. The author questions whether the government violates the constitution by promoting violence and hurting the sentiments of non-violent religious communities through advertisements for eggs and meat. The article outlines duties for the public, including avoiding products containing animal ingredients, not supporting companies that test on animals, and not cooperating with politicians who support violence. It lists responsibilities for the government, such as banning meat exports, stopping the misuse of public media to promote violence, prohibiting misleading terms like "egg farming," and amending laws to ban all forms of animal slaughter. The author concludes that indifference and inaction are the main causes of unchecked violence, and that those who tolerate injustice are more guilty than those who commit it.