BJP leader Menaka Gandhi and several animal rights groups have strongly criticised the Supreme Court’s recent directive to remove stray dogs from the streets of Delhi-NCR and place them in shelters. They argue that such a move could create new problems for communities.
On Monday, the former Union Minister called the order “impractical,” “financially unfeasible,” and “dangerous for environmental balance.” The Supreme Court described stray dogs as a “serious problem” and instructed the Delhi government and municipal bodies to relocate them to shelters, warning of strict action against anyone obstructing the drive.
Gandhi said the scale of the task made it impossible to implement. According to her, Delhi has about three lakh stray dogs, which would require 3,000 shelters equipped with drains, water, roofing, kitchens, and security staff. She estimated the cost at ₹15,000 crore, questioning whether the Delhi government had such funds. Feeding these dogs alone, she added, would cost ₹5 crore a week, which could trigger public resentment.
