Delhi stray dogs row: Rahul Gandhi's support for animal lovers irks BJP, Congress leader called this!

As the discussion over the Supreme Court's direction to move stray dogs in Delhi to shelters gets political, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader derogatorily referred Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for backing animal lovers.

Irked by Gandhi's support for animal lovers, Maharashtra BJP leader Raj Purohit called Gandhi a "roaming stray politician". Purohit, praising the Supreme Court's order, said the top court issued the directions considering the well-being of the public in Delhi.

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi government and the municipal corporation in the national capital to take measures to shift stray dogs to shelters in a phased manner. As per reports, there are 10 lakh stray dogs in the national capital.

"He should instead concentrate on important issues like farmers' welfare and poverty. He should have supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid a (nuclear attack) threat by Pakistan", Purohit added.

The BJP leader accused Gandhi of diverting people's attention from national issues by focusing on the top court's order. Purohit said, "Gandhi is trying to divert attention from national issues by focusing on the court order. Rahul is roaming around like a stray politician".

Calling the top court's order a step back from science-backed policy, Gandhi, in a post on X, said, "The SC’s directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR is a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy. These voiceless souls are not 'problems' to be erased. Shelters, sterilisation, vaccination and removals are cruel, shortsighted, and strip us of compassion. We can ensure public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand."

The top court has directed strict implementation of its order and warned of suo motu action against those opposing the move.