Animal rights activists call for stronger action against exploitation

Bengaluru,  

Marking National Animal Rights Day on Saturday, animal rights activists high lighted the continued use of animals for commercial purposes as one of their biggest concerns. While similar issues have been raised over the years and addressed to varying degrees, activists in the city said much more needs to be done. “I think meat consumption has only been increasing every year. There doesn’t seem to be any respite for animals. They are exploited in many ways, but the greatest share of that exploitation is linked to the food we eat,” said Nitish.

The activists also drew attention to the meat industry’s impact on the environment. “We are making the Earth uninhabitable for ourselves and for other species. Humans have so much power over everything, and we are single handedly driving species towards extinction and destroying the planet in the pursuit of greed and profit,” said Mayur. For many activists, the central issue was the ex ploitation of animals.

“Animals have the right not to be exploited and not to be forced into existence simply so that we can use their bodies. If you exploit the reproductive system of a cow, it is no better than rape. People do not think about it because such animals are often considered inferior,” said Paul, a lawyer and animal rights activist. Concerns were also raised about animal testing in the cosmetics industry, as well as the use of animals in clothing and other everyday products.

“We do not realise how many popular brands still engage in animal testing, even when it is no longer necessary. So many products are rooted in animal exploitation. Once we begin to examine the lives we lead more closely, it becomes difficult to ignore that reality,” said Sanjana. Activists also expressed discomfort with veganism being closely associated with vegetarianism and notions of purity and impurity, which they described as casteist ideas.

 “The concept of veganism is often linked to ideas of purity, which in turn relate to Brahminical notions. There is also talk of ahimsa products and cruelty-free goods, but non-human animals continue to be commodified,” said Bruhat. “So-called savarna vegans advocate veganism and sometimes use it as a tool to discriminate against Dalits, Adivasis and Hindus who consume meat,” said Mayur. On the city’s dog-feeding policies, activists supported the creation of designated feeding zones and the implementation of Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules by the GBA. However, they called for clearer public messaging and greater protection for citizens who feed stray dogs.