Forsaken For Whose Sake

All of us must have a vague memory of hearing ‘Gaay Humari Mata Hai’, cow is our mother. It ought to be worshipped as per the Hindu mythology. Yet, often do we see a herd of these holy cows lingering around the roads, devouring on filth. And surprisingly, this goes unnoticed by the supposedly-spiritual passers by.

Is the common man actually as saintly as it projects himself to be? Animals form one section which is most commonly, as well as frequently, neglected by the populace. Take an example of Mayur Vihar Phase-1, across which are the vast agricultural fields. The farmers unleash their cattle into the streets. Clueless about where to go, these cows end up feeding on the openly-dumped-household waste. They are often seen resting in midway of roads and eventually, littering the neighbourhood.  Now none of the spirituality comes in use for restoration of their mother i.e., cow’s well being!

Every now and then while sitting in the comfort of our room, we hear a hapless dog howling or screeching in pain from the roadside. This could be a result of one of them getting hit by a car or even (kicked) by an insensitive human. And to look at a scraggy mother fending for her bunch of unsolicited pups, could be so poignant; mothers are the worst effected apart from young puppies.

Likewise, the domestic or shall we say abandoned pigs also become a prey of human oblivion. Think of a large number of mud-splattered pigs poking their snouts into marshy lands. This is a common sight on the way from Mayur Vihar Ph-1 Extn. to Vaundhra Enclave. Whatsoever happened to sanitation!

On being ostracized from their own natural habitat, monkeys have taken shelter in cities and towns. And they are quite demonstrative in showing their anger. If one day we hear a plant-pot being flung out at an ongoing pedestrian, the other it is informed that a lady’s sari got torn raucously, as a part of the ‘monkey-menace’.

It is not the dogs *who are* to be blamed for creating a faecal explosion in your street, or the holy cow, if a friend of yours gets severely hurt in a lethal cattle-fight. Neither is it a fault of those pigs for de-glorifying your backyard nor of the monkeys’ for scratching your wrist. Then who exactly is the culprit?

Abandonned Donkeys Near The Samachar Market, M.V. Ph-1 Extn.

No, the answer to such accusatory questions can not always be the government. They had to make the laws which they did. But do you remember the last time you were agonized to see one of the forsaken animals? Did you feel the pain they go through each day?

They have no speech to express themselves save for their actions. Until the common man does not look into the gravity of this situation, understands and gets acquainted with the available laws followed by an appropriate action of informing about the mishap; this self-generated inconvenience is here to stay.

Under Section 11 of the Indian Penal Code (PCA), on giving an animal a toxic substance to eat or to make them travel in hazardous conditions can minimally  penalize the offender i.e., with a fine of Rs.100 and/or up to three months in jail. So, next time on sight of such an offence taking place you can right away complain about the same under the respective section of the constitution.

Apart from this, sections 428 and 429 make it illegal for anyone to deliberately hurt an animal. For example, it is an offence to throw acid on cows (usually by vendors) or conduct research work on stray animals. But don’t you think the worth of proposed penalty is relatively less. May be this is the reason that these laws are not considered greatly.

To regulate the ever growing population of stray animals, sterilization is usually recommended by the Municipal Corporations under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme.

Despite the above developments, we still find numerous puppies taking birth in every colony, donkeys and buffaloes being repeatedly dragged with burden over their spine, milk being procured (for households) from the same cows that dwell in the chute, food deprived animals and what not.

A positive scenario can only be expected if we be humane enough to take charge, be more vigilant and never be hesitant to report about the violation of animal rights to the police. Thus, be a support to the forsaken for their sake.