Massive Rally at Ramlila Maidan Opposes Plan to Relocate Street Dogs to Non-Existent Shelters

New Delhi (18 August 2025): In a powerful display of solidarity, hundreds of citizens from diverse walks of life gathered at Ramlila Maidan today to protest against any municipal move to detain or relocate street dogs to non-existent or inadequate shelters in the Delhi-NCR region.

The event, organized by concerned animal welfare groups and citizens, was initially scheduled to be held within the grounds of Ramlila Maidan. However, on arrival, participants were met with barricades and informed that prior permissions had been unexpectedly revoked.

Despite the sudden setback, demonstrators stood their ground peacefully. After discussions with authorities, Delhi Police permitted a symbolic gathering on the road adjacent to the Maidan, cordoning off the area for the protesters’ safety. An estimated 300–400 people remained for the protest, demonstrating with banners, chants, and unwavering spirit.

At around 2:00 PM, the gathering began marching towards the historic Hanuman Mandir near Connaught Place, braving a torrential downpour. Wading through puddles and unsanitary mounds of garbage, the determined crowd pressed forward, finally reaching the temple area by 4:00 PM. There, they raised slogans and reiterated their demands before dispersing peacefully at approximately 4:30 PM. The protest then shifted to Pacific Mall, where a follow-up demonstration was scheduled.

The participants represented a broad cross-section of society—lawyers, armed forces veterans, teachers, college students, sanitation workers, domestic workers, and even children stood shoulder to shoulder in a rare moment of unity. They voiced strong opposition to any governmental action aimed at removing community dogs from public spaces into facilities that either do not exist or fail to meet minimum welfare standards.

The idea that our community dogs should be rounded up and sent to invisible or inhumane shelters is not just impractical—it’s cruel, said one participant, a retired army officer. They are part of our neighborhoods. They deserve protection, not persecution.

A prominent chant heard throughout the day—“No dog, no vote!”—encapsulated the mood of the crowd and hinted at political consequences for authorities who ignore animal welfare concerns.

Organizers emphasized that this is just the beginning of a broader campaign to ensure humane treatment of street animals and greater accountability from civic bodies. Plans are already underway for follow-up actions and legal challenges. This protest marked the first time that Delhi’s animal welfare community held such a large-scale demonstration at Ramlila Maidan, setting a precedent for civic participation on animal rights issues.

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