Animal Rights is equal to Human Rights

A conversation with
Ms. Maneka Gandhi

Vasudev Murthy
Akaranga Sutra: He who knows animal existence, knows pain
Points to Ponder
Of 8.4 million species, only man has explicit laws protecting his
interests
Our unsustainable lifestyle is linked to the endless exploitation of
other species who have no rights and who live in endless fear


Shall we live and die in splendid isolation, convinced about
human superiority?
Poor animals! How jealously they guard their pathetic
bodies . . . that which to us is merely an evening's meal,
but to them is life itself.
Traditional Thinking
The use of animals without moral consequence comes from the
largely Aristotelian belief that human beings are the only beings
with a rational soul.
Rene Descartes: Because animals cannot speak, they cannot
reason. Reason is what separates man from animal.
Immanuel Kant: The only value an animal has is instrumental.
Humans do not owe direct duties toward animals

Non-Traditional Thinking
Jeremy Bentham: the question is not - can animals reason, but can
they suffer?
Peter Singer: the utilitarian principle of the greatest good for the
greatest number should include animals because they too can feel
pleasure and pain
Coexisting with the Stray Dog
How have attitudes
changed?
What are the
challenges?
The distinction
Animal Welfare Animal Rights
Animal Welfare Law
Animal Law is the field of law that specialises in issues pertaining to animals. For instance, a number of animal
protection organisations utilise legal remedies to protect the interests of animals in the context of:
commercial whaling
live export
factory farming
the protection of endangered species
the use of animals for entertainment, including zoos, rodeos and circuses
the use of animals in fashion and cosmetics
cruelty to domestic animals including tail docking and dog-fighting
scientific research and teaching
the culling of wild animals and 'pests'.
Legal Framework in India
Article 48 in The Constitution Of India 1949
Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry The State shall endeavour to
organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and shall,
in particular, take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the
slaughter, of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle
In 1974, further provisions were introduced including Article 51A, which made it a
duty of every citizen of India "(g) to protect and improve the natural environment
including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living
creatures".
THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT, 1960 - to prevent the infliction
of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals. Created the Animal Welfare Board of
India.
Indian Law Views on
Completeness

Contradictions
Enforceability

Awareness
Snapshots of legal developments in other
countries
Denmark bans kosher and halal slaughter as minister says animal rights come before religion
The Norwegian Animal Welfare Act is premised on the statement that animals shall be treated well, and
consideration shall be given to the instinctive behavior and natural needs of animals, so that there is no risk of
causing them unnecessary suffering
The German Animal Welfare Act is premised on the responsibility of human beings for their fellow creatures to
protect the lives and well-being of animals.
In the US, animal cruelty statutes only address behavior that is in violation of the statute and the appropriate
punishment for that violation.
The Swiss law, gives guidelines to ensure the welfare of animals before violations of animal cruelty
occur. Zurich is the only city in Switzerland that has a court appointed animal rights lawyer. Switzerland has a
very thorough 160page animal protection law. It governs everything from how much space owners must give
their gerbils, to the water temperature for frogs. It outlines that social animals such as pigs and birds must have
companions and that horses and cows get regular exercise. It even requires guardians of dogs to take a training
course on how to care for their pets. The law also forbids cruelty and abuse.
The Oregon Supreme Court said that animals -- whether they be horses, goats, dogs or cats -- shall be afforded
some of the same basic protections as human beings.
In the Indian context
Our myths and texts are full of
animals: Hanuman, Jatayu, Nandi,
Jambuvan, Garuda, Mooshika
Jainism teaches that all beings wish
to live, all desire happiness and wish
to avoid misery and suffering and
none wish to die.

Is our compassion limited to stories?

Literature
Generally limited to Dogs and Cats and our
desire to see human-like qualities
(anthropomorphism) in them

What can be done to encourage this genre?
Q & A
Thank you
Dr. Manjiri Prabhu, Festival Director - 9850594134