Bangalore Streetie Protest 18 Nov Freedom Park

Event Summary: Bangalore's Protest Against SC Street Dog Directive

Date: 18 November 2025

Time: 2:30 PM onwards

Location: Freedom Park, Bangalore (under the Kuvempu Statue)

Event: A peaceful street protest and rally

Organizers: A coalition of Bangalore's citizens, NGOs, and animal welfare groups.

Overview:

Hundreds of concerned citizens, representing a broad cross-section of Bangalore, gathered at Freedom Park for the city's first major protest against the Supreme Court directive of 7th November 2025. The directive, which mandates the removal of street dogs to shelters, has been met with widespread anguish and deep concern for the animals' welfare and the practical feasibility of such an order. Speakers gave a perspective & takeaways on the SC order, GoK response and the next steps needed by animal lovers

Key Themes & Atmosphere:

Attendees wore black to symbolize their pain, anger, and sense of loss, paired with white armbands to represent their hope for a fair and compassionate resolution. The 2.5-hour event was marked by peaceful and respectful dialogue, unified by chants of “We Want Justice,” “No to Shelter, Yes to Adoption,” and “No Dogs, No Votes.”

Speaker Highlights:

· Priya Chetty-Rajagopal (CJ Memorial Trust): As a informed AW policy advocate , she framed the issue, noting that the dogs are unaware of the "terrible fate that befall them simply by a swipe of a pen." She detailed the financial absurdity of the move, pointing out that the cost per dog would skyrocket from a one-time expense of ₹3,000 for ABC (Animal Birth Control) to an unsustainable ₹75,000-₹200,000 per dog per year for shelter maintenance. She emphasized the need for an equitable solution focused on the WHO-approved ABC-ARV (Anti-Rabies Vaccination) program.

· Anirudh (Prana Foundation): Spoke on the immense practical impact on institutions and the dogs themselves, urging a return to sense and practicality.

· Arun Prasad: Highlighted the infeasibility, operational nightmares, and legal loopholes of the directive.

· Sanjana (Second Chance): Discussed the negative impact such a policy would have on children and society, teaching a lesson of removal rather than compassion.

· Manjari : Shared the immeasurable pain and constraints faced by community caregivers.

· Dr Col Navaz Sharif (PFA): Advocated for the proven success of the ABC-ARV route, citing their work in the Thurahalli Forest.

· Actress Aindrita Ray: Spoke passionately about the impact on helpless animals, sharing her own adoption story. She strongly promoted adoption over buying pets and called for an end to the breeding industry.

· Educational Representatives (Lawrence School & IISc): Students and staff shared how integral the community dogs are to their campuses and expressed their determination not to let them be taken away, despite all neutering and vaccination efforts.

Keerthan of CARE emphasised the short term nature of this move and the tremendous pressure even cruelty on animals, shelters and society .Many other voices , prominent NGOs , active rescuers and feeders shared their views.

Conclusion:

The protest successfully provided a platform for Bangalore’s animal lovers to unite and amplify their collective voice. The central demand is for the Supreme Court to reconsider its directive and instead champion the proven, compassionate, and cost-effective ABC-ARV method as the way forward for India's street animals.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bangalore Unites in Peaceful Protest, Demands Supreme Court Reconsider Directive on Street Animals

BENGALURU, India – November 18, 2025 – In a powerful display of civic solidarity, hundreds of citizens, representing a united front of Bangalore's NGOs, animal welfare organizations, and concerned residents, gathered at Freedom Park today. The protest, the first of its kind in the city, was held in response to the Supreme Court directive of November 7, 2025, regarding street dogs.

Dressed in black to express their anguish and adorned with white armbands symbolizing hope, the crowd gathered under the Kuvempu statue at 2:30 PM. The event featured a series of impassioned speeches from prominent animal rights activists, community leaders, and public figures, all voicing deep concern over the implications of the court's order.

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal of CJ Memorial Trust, a key speaker, articulated the core issue: "These poor dogs neither read the papers, watch the news, nor have an Instagram feed. They don’t know the terrible fate that befalls them simply by a swipe of a pen." She highlighted the "staggering" financial and operational cost of the move, noting that the government's expense per dog would jump from a one-time ₹3,000 for ABC to an annual ₹75,000 + for shelter maintenance—a massive burden on taxpayers.

The protest emphasized the proven, World Health Organization-approved method of ABC-ARV (Animal Birth Control and Anti-Rabies Vaccination) as the humane, practical, and sustainable solution. Speakers from various organizations, including CARE, Prana Foundation, Second Chance, and PFA, echoed this sentiment, sharing success stories and warning of the "immeasurable pain" and "operational cruelty" of mass sheltering.

Actress and animal advocate Aindrita Ray moved the crowd by discussing the societal impact and promoting adoption. "I hope reason will prevail and the Supreme Court will listen to the voice of public opinion," she stated.

The rally was punctuated by unified chants of "We Want Justice" and "No to Shelter, Yes to Adoption," reflecting a community's determination to protect its voiceless members. The event concluded peacefully after two and a half hours, with a clear message: the people of Bangalore urge the Supreme Court to revisit its directive and work collaboratively towards an equitable solution that upholds both animal welfare and civic sense.

About the Movement:

This protest represents a coalition of Bangalore's leading animal welfare NGOs and thousands of citizens dedicated to promoting compassionate and effective coexistence with street animals through the scientifically-backed ABC-ARV program.