Supreme Court’s stray dogs order sparks debate as RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says the menace can only be solved by regulating population, not confinement, stressing balance with nature.
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BHUBANESWAR: RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has called for a balanced and humane approach to the stray dog issue in Delhi, stressing that population regulation is the only sustainable solution, rather than confining dogs to shelters.
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Bhagwat, who holds a degree in veterinary science, made these remarks on Thursday while addressing a large religious congregation at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, attended by over 500 saints from across India. His comments come in the backdrop of a Supreme Court directive asking Delhi-NCR authorities to shift stray dogs from streets into shelter homes, following a suo motu case on rising incidents of dog bites and rabies, particularly affecting children.
“The problem can be solved only by regulating the population of street dogs. But, it cannot be resolved by putting stray dogs in shelters,”
Bhagwat emphasized, underlining that the rights of animals to live must be respected.
He cited an example from Indian traditions: while milking cows, farmers take some milk but always leave enough for the calf. “This is the art of striking a balance between man and nature,” he said, calling for harmony between development and environment.
Highlighting the value of indigenous practices, Bhagwat noted that Indian farmers traditionally preserve the fertility of soil by not over-exploiting it. In contrast, he criticized the European approach of using excessive fertilizers in Africa, which, according to him, led to soil degradation. “Our culture teaches us not to extract more than what is required,” he said.
He further stressed that environmental and ecological challenges could be resolved through traditional Indian methods, rooted in balance and conservation.
After the Cuttack congregation, Bhagwat proceeded to Puri, where he visited the Govardhan Peeth and met Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati. They reportedly discussed key religious and cultural issues. He later offered prayers at the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Bhagwat, who arrived in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday evening, stayed overnight at the Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti office in Mancheswar before embarking on his engagements
