Go Spiritual, under the leadership of our founder Sonu Tyagi, expresses deep concern over the recent Supreme Court ruling mandating the roundup and permanent detention of stray dogs in New Delhi. While we acknowledge the court’s intent to address public safety concerns following tragic incidents involving feral dogs, we believe that compassion, non-violence, and ethical treatment of all living beings must guide our actions. Our organization, rooted in the principles of Indian spirituality, advocates for solutions that align with kindness and respect for animals, as all souls are interconnected in the divine tapestry of life.
Our Commitment to Animal Welfare
Go Spiritual has long championed kindness campaigns for animals, including our “Go Vegetarian” campaign relaunched on World Vegetarian Day 2024, which promotes compassion for all creatures. We firmly believe that stray dogs, often misunderstood, are sentient beings deserving of care and dignity. Our organization has actively supported initiatives to foster empathy, such as food distribution programs and welfare drives for animals, reflecting our commitment to a cruelty-free lifestyle.
Sonu Tyagi, an advocate for animal rights, has previously condemned acts of cruelty, such as the disturbing incident during the release of Jr NTR’s Devara: Part 1, where a goat was sacrificed. He called for stricter enforcement of animal protection laws and emphasized that violence against animals contradicts India’s spiritual heritage of non-violence (Ahimsa). Similarly, we view the Supreme Court’s order to permanently detain strays as a measure that risks disrupting the delicate balance of compassion and coexistence.
A Call for Humane Solutions
The Supreme Court’s ruling appears to conflict with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) law, which mandates that stray dogs be vaccinated, sterilized, and returned to their original environments. We align with legal experts like Nishaank Mattoo, who argue that displacing dogs without evidence of rabies or other threats violates existing laws and disrupts their natural habitats. Permanent detention in shelters, if not accompanied by adequate resources, infrastructure, and care, may lead to suffering for these animals, which contradicts the spiritual principles of empathy and care for all beings.
We applaud initiatives like the Paschim Banga Samagra Shiksha Mission (PBSSM) in West Bengal, where schools are encouraged to feed stray dogs to teach children kindness and compassion. Such programs align with Go Spiritual’s mission to cultivate mindfulness and empathy in society. We urge the authorities in New Delhi to consider similar humane approaches, such as:
- Strengthening and expanding the Animal Birth Control program with increased funding for sterilization and vaccination drives.
- Establishing well-equipped, humane shelters that prioritize animal welfare over mere containment.
- Launching public awareness campaigns to promote responsible pet ownership and coexistence with strays.
- Partnering with NGOs and spiritual organizations like Go Spiritual to implement community-based feeding and care programs for strays.
Sonu Tyagi’s Vision for Compassionate Coexistence
Sonu Tyagi, the visionary behind Go Spiritual, has consistently emphasized that spirituality is about aligning our actions with compassion and respect for all living beings. As he stated in the context of our “Go Vegetarian” campaign, “The act of slaughtering animals for food disrupts this sacred connection, hindering spiritual growth.” This philosophy extends to how we treat stray animals. Tyagi believes that stray dogs, often victims of human neglect, deserve protection and care rather than displacement or punishment.
Through our kindness campaigns, Go Spiritual has worked to promote a cruelty-free lifestyle, including blanket donation drives for the needy and food distribution programs that reflect our commitment to service. We draw inspiration from India’s spiritual leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, who championed non-violence, and Swami Vivekananda, whose teachings guide our work, as seen in our spiritual web series Two Great Masters.
Moving Forward
Go Spiritual calls on the Supreme Court, the Delhi government, and all stakeholders to prioritize humane, sustainable solutions that respect both public safety and animal welfare. We are committed to supporting initiatives that foster compassion, such as community-driven care for strays and educational programs to instill kindness in future generations. We invite the public to join our ongoing campaigns, including the “Go Vegetarian” initiative and our broader efforts to promote spiritual awareness and philanthropy, as we work toward a society where all beings are treated with dignity.
For more information on how to support our kindness campaigns or to collaborate on animal welfare initiatives, please visit www.gospiritualindia.org & www.approachentertainment.com
Sonu Tyagi
Founder, Go Spiritual & Approach Entertainment
