A number of public figures, including Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Chinmayi Sripaada, Varun Grover, Vir Das, and Siddharth Anand, have strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s recent directive requiring all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to be moved to shelters. The decision has triggered widespread concern, with several calling it a “death sentence” for the animals.
Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan both shared a message on Instagram urging people to understand the deeper implications of the order. The post questioned the move, arguing that although challenges exist, isolating an entire population of animals is not the answer. The message read, “They call it a menace. We call it a heartbeat. Today, the Supreme Court says take every stray dog off the streets and lock them away. No sun. No freedom. No familiar faces. These aren’t just dogs, they’re part of our everyday lives—guarding shops, waiting outside tea stalls, welcoming kids home. Erasing them isn’t a solution. It’s a failure of compassion.”
The post also called for humane alternatives, such as large-scale sterilisation, vaccination programs, designated feeding areas, and adoption initiatives. It warned that punishing stray dogs sets a dangerous precedent: “Today it’s the dogs. Tomorrow, who will it be?”
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada expressed her dismay on X, saying the ruling reads like a death sentence. She highlighted how many abandoned purebred dogs, once used for breeding, end up on the streets. In her words, “Shelters, really? Since dogs are considered sacred in many Indian traditions, may divine justice prevail.”
Director Siddharth Anand also condemned the move, saying it shows a complete lack of empathy. He questioned who would care for these animals once confined, arguing that many rely on kind-hearted citizens for food and water. “They will starve and suffer. This is nothing short of a death warrant,” he said, while calling for action and public petitions.
Writer and comedian Varun Grover stressed that the root of the stray dog crisis lies in human apathy, not the dogs themselves. He pointed out that individuals and groups trying to sterilise and feed street dogs have often faced resistance from resident associations. “Now, after blocking real solutions, they want to shove the problem into non-existent shelters. That’s not fixing anything,” he said, urging authorities to work with animal welfare groups on lasting, humane strategies.
Actor Vir Das took a more personal route, sharing pictures of the dogs he adopted from the streets. He encouraged Delhi residents to consider taking in local strays, describing them as affectionate, loyal, and low-maintenance. He also called on people to support animal NGOs and act immediately, while legal appeals are still in process. “Every small effort counts. Let humanity show up now,” he wrote.
A Supreme Court bench, led by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, ordered that all stray dogs be removed from public spaces across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurgaon. It instructed authorities to build shelters with enough capacity and staff to handle sterilisation and vaccination. The court also warned that any person or group interfering with the enforcement of this directive could face contempt charges. Furthermore, it stated that no stray dog removed from the streets would be returned to its original location.
