Latest news with #ManekaGandhi
India Gazette
10-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Maneka Gandhi meets Uttarakhand CM Dhami at his official residence
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 11 (ANI): Former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his official residence on Thursday. On this occasion, the Chief Minister presented her with the holy prasad of the four Dhams of the state. Earlier, the Chief Minister gave strict instructions to the officials to start Operation Kalanemi against the impersonators who cheat people and play with their sentiments in the name of Sanatan Dharma in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister said that many such cases have come to light in the state where anti-social elements are cheating people, especially women, by disguising themselves as saints. This is not only hurting the religious sentiments of the people, but also harming the image of social harmony and Sanatan tradition. In such a situation, if a person of any religion is found doing such acts, then strict action will be taken against him. He also said that just as the demon Kalanemi had tried to mislead by disguising himself as a saint, similarly, many 'Kalanemi' are active in society today who are committing crimes in religious guise. Our government is fully committed to protecting public sentiments, the dignity of Sanatan culture and maintaining social harmony. Those who spread hypocrisy in the name of faith will not be spared under any circumstances. He also conducted a field inspection of the areas affected by heavy rains in the Raipur area in Dehradun. He met the local people at Kirsali Chowk, IT Park, Nanurkheda, Amwala, Tapovan, and Shanti Vihar, and listened to their problems. He stated that the safety of the public is the top priority of the state government. (ANI)
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Indian Express
‘Videos of Pitbull dogs hunting porcupines uploaded on social media': Punjab Police arrest ‘poacher' after Maneka Gandhi intervenes
The Patiala Police has arrested a Rajpura-based poacher for allegedly using his Pitbull and other dogs to illegally hunt porcupines, filming the incidents, and uploading the videos on his Instagram account, officers said on Thursday. The arrest followed the intervention of BJP MP and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi, who was informed about the matter by a local animal lover and environmentalist Sahil Sharma. In the heart-rending videos, allegedly uploaded by the accused — identified as Ajay, a native of Jansua area of Rajpura — on his Instagram account, a pack of dogs — at least one of them prima facie identified as Pitbull — could be seen hunting and mauling a porcupine mercilessly in the presence of two men whose faces are not visible. Sharma said he had allegedly received an anonymous complaint regarding the videos, following which he contacted the office of the former Union minister, Maneka. 'Following her intervention, police immediately took action against Ajay and raided the Jansua area to nab him. Subsequently, an FIR was registered.' Based on a complaint filed by Patiala district's Wildlife Range Forest Officer Charanjit Singh, the FIR was registered against Ajay under sections 9 (prohibition of hunting), 39 (wild animals, etc, to be government property), and 51 (penalties) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, at the Sadar Rajpura police station. In the FIR, it is mentioned that 'several residents of Rajpura hunt porcupines using Pitbull dogs, and videos of such incidents are being uploaded on social media'. Listed as endangered species, 'porcupines are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and illegal hunting or poaching of them is banned'. A complaint was received through the office of Maneka Gandhi, with videos enclosed in a pen drive, the FIR read. Speaking to The Indian Express, wildlife range officer Charanjit said: 'Prima facie, the dogs in the videos are Pitbull breed, but further investigation is underway. The accused — Ajay, from whose Instagram ID the videos were allegedly uploaded — has been arrested. It is being probed whether the dogs belong to him… The duo seen in the videos are being identified. Prima facie, they engage in the activity for fun or to consume porcupine's meat.. Porcupines are protected species (under the Act), but are often seen in the jungles of Punjab.' Divya Goyal is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Punjab. Her interest lies in exploring both news and feature stories, with an effort to reflect human interest at the heart of each piece. She writes on gender issues, education, politics, Sikh diaspora, heritage, the Partition among other subjects. She has also extensively covered issues of minority communities in Pakistan and Afghanistan. She also explores the legacy of India's partition and distinct stories from both West and East Punjab. She is a gold medalist from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, the most revered government institute for media studies in India, from where she pursued English Journalism (Print). Her research work on 'Role of micro-blogging platform Twitter in content generation in newspapers' had won accolades at IIMC. She had started her career in print journalism with Hindustan Times before switching to The Indian Express in 2012. Her investigative report in 2019 on gender disparity while treating women drug addicts in Punjab won her the Laadli Media Award for Gender Sensitivity in 2020. She won another Laadli for her ground report on the struggle of two girls who ride a boat to reach their school in the border village of Punjab. ... Read More
Time of India
19-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Ahmedabad ranks third in bird strikes, 319 incidents recorded in five years; animal rights group flags alarming spike post-deadly crash
NEW DELHI: Just a week after the fatal plane crash near Ahmedabad airport that claimed 270 lives, a prominent animal rights think-tank has raised fresh concerns over bird and wildlife strikes at the city's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, revealing it ranks third in India for such incidents. According to data sourced from a parliamentary response in December 2023, Ahmedabad recorded 319 bird and wildlife strikes between January 2018 and October 2023, trailing only behind Delhi (710) and Mumbai (352). The findings were released by the People For Animals Public Policy Foundation (PFA PPF), the legal and policy arm of the organisation led by BJP MP Maneka Gandhi. While authorities have not confirmed bird strike as the cause of last week's crash, and some experts have ruled it out, PFA PPF says the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call. The group revealed that bird strike incidents at the airport surged by 107% in 2023 alone, signalling a sharp deterioration in aviation safety. "We can't keep calling these tragedies 'unforeseen' when the warnings have been clear for years," said Gauri Maulekhi, Trustee and Member Secretary of the foundation. "Ahmedabad Airport alone had 319 documented incidents, every single one was a red flag." The foundation has now made a formal representation to the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), urging immediate enforcement of Rule 91 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo The rule prohibits the slaughtering of animals, flaying, and dumping of garbage within a 10-kilometre radius of airports, practices known to attract birds and increase collision risks. Despite the ministry of civil aviation acknowledging as early as 2007 that removing meat shops and open garbage dumps near airports could significantly reduce bird strikes, such establishments continue to operate around major airports, including Ahmedabad. 'We already have the laws and the data. What we're missing is accountability and enforcement,' said Mihir Dawar, a policy expert at PFA PPF. 'If we're serious about preventing more tragedies like this, we need to act now.' Nationally, bird and wildlife strikes have surged from 167 in 2006 to 1,125 in 2022, far exceeding the safety thresholds set by the ministry. With the Ahmedabad crash still under investigation, PFA PPF says it's time to stop treating these incidents as isolated, and start treating them as systemic failures.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Activists suspect foul play, file plaint over monkey deaths in Bareilly
MEERUT A series of brutal monkey killings in Bareilly's Qila area has drawn widespread public concern, including that of animal rights activist and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi. In just four days, 11 monkeys have been found dead with signs of severe physical assault, including broken skulls and deep bodily injuries. Authorities now suspect a planned and systematic extermination. According to officials, the first set of five monkey carcasses was found on Monday in the Chawal Mandi area under Qila police station limits. The following days saw more grisly discoveries — four dead monkeys on Tuesday, one on Wednesday, and another on Thursday. All were found within the same vicinity, fuelling suspicions of a deliberate plot. Postmortem examinations conducted by a team of veterinary doctors revealed consistent injury patterns. 'The monkeys had serious wounds on their bodies, and in many cases, their skulls were fractured,' officials confirmed, indicating that they were either bludgeoned or attacked with sharp weapons. Animal welfare organization, People for Animals (PFA), headed in Bareilly by Dheeraj Pathak, has taken the matter seriously. 'This is not a natural occurrence. Monkeys are intelligent and cautious animals—they do not fall prey to random poisoning or accidents. Eleven deaths in such a short span and concentrated area point towards a well-orchestrated plan. There is every possibility that the monkeys were poisoned or beaten to death by someone frustrated by their presence,' he said. The PFA believes that food laced with poison could have been intentionally planted to eliminate the animals, possibly due to perceived nuisance caused by monkeys. Pathak explained that monkeys typically avoid dangerous food unless manipulated, and the consistency of injuries and locations supports the theory of organized cruelty. Former Union minister and PFA's national patron Maneka Gandhi has expressed outrage over the killings. She reportedly called the SHO and CO of Qila police station, demanding immediate investigation. 'This is not merely the death of animals, but a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act,' she said. 'Such acts must be dealt with severely.' Responding to the seriousness of the case, police have initiated an investigation. Circle officer (city II) Ajay Kumar confirmed that postmortem examinations had been completed and injuries verified. 'We've registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act, based on the PFA's complaint. CCTV footage from the Chawal Mandi area is being reviewed to identify the culprits,' he said. The FIR was lodged against unknown persons, and forensic teams are assisting in reviewing security camera footage from surrounding areas. Police officials believe the visual evidence may help pinpoint suspects or vehicles involved in disposing of the carcasses or committing the act.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's unregulated pet care sector breeds scams, exploits animals and people
1 2 3 Pune: The lack of regulation in the animal welfare sector in India has allowed for the emergence of a breeding ground for fraudsters that exploit both animals and volunteers. In the absence of proper oversight, there has been a disturbing proliferation of spurious animal shelters nationwide, operating as profit-making ventures while charging exorbitant monthly fees from rescuers and individuals. The trend was exemplified in 2024, when a counterfeit shelter was set up near Delhi using the name of People for Animals, a well-known group run by Maneka Gandhi. "People have been calling me from across the country, particularly those familiar with our work at PFA, to inform us about this duplicity. An investigation is underway," Gandhi stated. Puneeta Khanna, Pune unit head for PFA, explained to TOI that while people endeavour to "rescue" animals, they often lack the wherewithal for permanent adoption. "They then relinquish the animals at any available shelter without conducting due diligence. They neither inspect the facilities nor research their credentials, simply transferring the animal and payments before disengaging completely. This prevalent behaviour enables fraudulent operations to flourish," she said. Social media platforms have amplified duplicitous schemes, with fraudsters fabricating counterfeit NGO accounts and misappropriating content from legitimate organisations to conduct crowdfunding campaigns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Swindlers manipulate digital platforms, disseminating emotive posts and reels to solicit donations — which never reach intended beneficiaries. Richa Singh Choudhuri, who runs a senior dog shelter in Delhi, revealed how fraudsters pilfered photographs and videos posted by genuine animal welfare NGOs seeking funds for medical treatments. "This recurring issue recently affected our campaign for Mozart, a dog requiring costly surgery for luxating patella. Scamsters already pocketed thousands before some people informed us about their posts, and we messaged them to shut it down and threatened them with legal action. While some perpetrators remove such posts when confronted, many persist, necessitating formal complaints," Choudhuri said. The post-pandemic surge in pet boarding services also witnessed inexperienced individuals offering boarding facilities, where pets frequently endure confinement without adequate care. Pet parent Pallavi Doshi shared her harrowing experience with a Bengaluru-based facility, where her dog went missing when she came back to pick him up after a four-day stay. "Despite promises of daily updates, they did not send us anything and stopped picking up our calls. We spent our holiday in panic. When we rushed back to pick him up, they claimed our pet ran away. We searched high and low and offered rewards, but he was nowhere to be found. Later, we were informed by others who gave bad reviews to the facility that they too faced similar issues with their breed male dogs and suspected that they were sold to breeders," said Doshi. Many establishments operate without standardised criteria for staff recruitment, occasionally employing individuals who demonstrate cruelty towards animals. Incidents have surfaced on social media, including in Feb 2025, when a Chow Chow endured brutal treatment at a Thane pet clinic, and the Oct 2024 tragedy involving a Cocker Spaniel's death at a Noida boarding facility. Vineeta Tandon, who manages Animal Rescue Trust in Pune, said too many shelters operate sans proper registration, staff or capabilities. "Many just procure shop act licences and function ignoring safety guidelines. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) stipulates that shelters shouldn't retain healthy, self-sufficient animals or keep them caged. However, profit-driven facilities disregard this," she said. "Healthy strays are unnecessarily removed from their natural habitat by emotional activists who believe institutional care is superior. They often end up confined without proper sustenance, contrary to natural street existence where they enjoy freedom and regular feeding," Tandon added. This malpractice was evident when in Oct 2024, authorities rescued over 50 animals from a fraudulent shelter in Ravet. The proprietor distributed counterfeit receipts and falsely claimed veterinary credentials. Similarly, in June last year, an illegal dog hostel was shut down in Jodhpur following PETA India's intervention, where animals had endured abusive training methods. Geetanjali Taur, founder of Saahas for Animals, advocates for an urgent need for stringent industry regulation. "Transparency is key. When you find that an NGO is not being open for visitations and about their facilities or answering all questions, it should raise a red flag. But it's time clear rules, standards, and guidelines are set and strictly implemented across all animal-related businesses and charitable establishments. Volunteers must exercise prudence rather than making emotionally driven impulsive decisions that compromise animal welfare." According to Meet Ashar, an animal rights advocate and cruelty case division legal advisor at PETA India, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in its current form does not strengthen legal protection for animals. "While BNS removes different punishments based on the value of the animal and prescribes a uniform punishment for killing or maiming, irrespective of species, it has done more damage by totally removing the provision that penalised sexual abuse of animals," he pointed out. Pune: The lack of regulation in the animal welfare sector in India has allowed for the emergence of a breeding ground for fraudsters that exploit both animals and volunteers. In the absence of proper oversight, there has been a disturbing proliferation of spurious animal shelters nationwide, operating as profit-making ventures while charging exorbitant monthly fees from rescuers and individuals. The trend was exemplified in 2024, when a counterfeit shelter was set up near Delhi using the name of People for Animals, a well-known group run by Maneka Gandhi. "People have been calling me from across the country, particularly those familiar with our work at PFA, to inform us about this duplicity. An investigation is underway," Gandhi stated. Puneeta Khanna, Pune unit head for PFA, explained to TOI that while people endeavour to "rescue" animals, they often lack the wherewithal for permanent adoption. "They then relinquish the animals at any available shelter without conducting due diligence. They neither inspect the facilities nor research their credentials, simply transferring the animal and payments before disengaging completely. This prevalent behaviour enables fraudulent operations to flourish," she said. Social media platforms have amplified duplicitous schemes, with fraudsters fabricating counterfeit NGO accounts and misappropriating content from legitimate organisations to conduct crowdfunding campaigns. Swindlers manipulate digital platforms, disseminating emotive posts and reels to solicit donations — which never reach intended beneficiaries. Richa Singh Choudhuri, who runs a senior dog shelter in Delhi, revealed how fraudsters pilfered photographs and videos posted by genuine animal welfare NGOs seeking funds for medical treatments. "This recurring issue recently affected our campaign for Mozart, a dog requiring costly surgery for luxating patella. Scamsters already pocketed thousands before some people informed us about their posts, and we messaged them to shut it down and threatened them with legal action. While some perpetrators remove such posts when confronted, many persist, necessitating formal complaints," Choudhuri said. The post-pandemic surge in pet boarding services also witnessed inexperienced individuals offering boarding facilities, where pets frequently endure confinement without adequate care. Pet parent Pallavi Doshi shared her harrowing experience with a Bengaluru-based facility, where her dog went missing when she came back to pick him up after a four-day stay. "Despite promises of daily updates, they did not send us anything and stopped picking up our calls. We spent our holiday in panic. When we rushed back to pick him up, they claimed our pet ran away. We searched high and low and offered rewards, but he was nowhere to be found. Later, we were informed by others who gave bad reviews to the facility that they too faced similar issues with their breed male dogs and suspected that they were sold to breeders," said Doshi. Many establishments operate without standardised criteria for staff recruitment, occasionally employing individuals who demonstrate cruelty towards animals. Incidents have surfaced on social media, including in Feb 2025, when a Chow Chow endured brutal treatment at a Thane pet clinic, and the Oct 2024 tragedy involving a Cocker Spaniel's death at a Noida boarding facility. Vineeta Tandon, who manages Animal Rescue Trust in Pune, said too many shelters operate sans proper registration, staff or capabilities. "Many just procure shop act licences and function ignoring safety guidelines. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) stipulates that shelters shouldn't retain healthy, self-sufficient animals or keep them caged. However, profit-driven facilities disregard this," she said. "Healthy strays are unnecessarily removed from their natural habitat by emotional activists who believe institutional care is superior. They often end up confined without proper sustenance, contrary to natural street existence where they enjoy freedom and regular feeding," Tandon added. This malpractice was evident when in Oct 2024, authorities rescued over 50 animals from a fraudulent shelter in Ravet. The proprietor distributed counterfeit receipts and falsely claimed veterinary credentials. Similarly, in June last year, an illegal dog hostel was shut down in Jodhpur following PETA India's intervention, where animals had endured abusive training methods. Geetanjali Taur, founder of Saahas for Animals, advocates for an urgent need for stringent industry regulation. "Transparency is key. When you find that an NGO is not being open for visitations and about their facilities or answering all questions, it should raise a red flag. But it's time clear rules, standards, and guidelines are set and strictly implemented across all animal-related businesses and charitable establishments. Volunteers must exercise prudence rather than making emotionally driven impulsive decisions that compromise animal welfare." According to Meet Ashar, an animal rights advocate and cruelty case division legal advisor at PETA India, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in its current form does not strengthen legal protection for animals. "While BNS removes different punishments based on the value of the animal and prescribes a uniform punishment for killing or maiming, irrespective of species, it has done more damage by totally removing the provision that penalised sexual abuse of animals," he pointed out.
