Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan Stand Up for Stray Dogs’ Rights

Celebrities across India have voiced strong disapproval of the Supreme Court’s recent directive regarding stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. As per the order, authorities have been given eight weeks to remove stray dogs from the streets and relocate them to special shelters that will be created by the concerned bodies. The court also instructed municipal agencies to work together to set up enough facilities to house the dogs and ensure they are removed from public spaces. Stressing the need to protect children and infants from stray dog attacks, the order also stated that action would be taken against anyone who defies the decision.

Janhvi Kapoor, a devoted pet parent, expressed her disagreement with the ruling by sharing an online petition through her Instagram Story. In doing so, she backed a statement that read, “They call it a menace. We call it a heartbeat. Today, the Supreme Court says take every stray dog off the streets of Delhi-NCR and lock them away. No sunlight. No freedom. No familiar faces they greet every morning. But these aren’t just stray dogs. They are the ones who wait outside your tea stall for a biscuit. They are the silent night guards for shopkeepers. They are the tails wagging when children return from school. They are the warmth in a cold, uncaring city.”

The petition further stated, “Yes, there are problems bites, safety concerns – but caging an entire community of animals is not a solution, it’s an erasure. The real fix? Large-scale sterilisation programs, regular vaccination drives, community feeding zones, and adoption campaigns. Not punishment. Not imprisonment. A society that can’t protect its voiceless is a society losing its soul. Today it’s the dogs. Tomorrow… who will it be? Raise your voice. Because they don’t have one.” Varun Dhawan, also a longtime pet parent, showed his support by resharing the petition on his Instagram Story.

Meanwhile, during the court proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was reported as saying, “We can’t sacrifice our children merely because few individuals feel that they are animal lovers or something,” while speaking about the growing concerns over stray dog bites. This statement has further fuelled the ongoing debate between public safety and animal rights.

Also Read: Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor clicked at Dharma office earlier today