PILF 2014 - Vasudev Murthy

8/11/2019 PILF 2014 - Vasudev Murthy

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Animal Rights is equal to Human Rig

A conversation withMs. Maneka Gandhi

Vasudev Murthy

Akaranga Sutra: He who knowsanimal existence, knows


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Points to Ponder

Of 8.4 million species, only man has explicit laws protecinterests

Our unsustainable lifestyle is linked to the endless explo

other species who have no rights and who live in endles

Shall we live and die in splendid isolation, convinced abo

human superiority?


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Pooranimals! How jealously they guard their bodies . . . that which to us is merely an evenin

but to them is life itself.


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Traditional Thinking

The use of animals without moral consequence comes flargely Aristotelianbelief that human beings are the on

with a rational soul.

Rene Descartes: Because animals cannot speak, they c

reason. Reason is what separates man from animal.

Immanuel Kant: The only value an animal has is instrumHumans do not owe direct duties toward animals


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Non-Traditional Thinking

Jeremy Bentham: the question is not - can animals reathey suffer?

Peter Singer: the utilitarian principle of the greatest goo

greatest number should include animals because they to

pleasure and pain


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Coexisting with the Stray Do

How have attitudeschanged?

What are thechallenges?


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The distinction

Animal Welfare Animal Right


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Animal Welfare Law

Animal Law is the field of law that specialises in issues pertaining to animals. For instance, a numb

protection organisations utilise legal remedies to protect the interests of animals in the context

commercial whaling

live export

factory farming

the protection of endangered species

the use of animals for entertainment, including zoos, rodeos and circuses

the use of animals in fashion and cosmetics

cruelty to domestic animals including tail docking and dog-fighting

scientific research and teaching

the culling of wild animals and 'pests'.


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Legal Framework in India

Article 48 in The Constitution Of India 1949

Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry The State shall ende

organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lin

in particular, take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and p

slaughter, of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle

In 1974, further provisions were introduced including Article 51A, wh

duty of every citizen of India "(g) to protect and improve the natural enincluding forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion fo

creatures".

THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT, 1960 - to preve

of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals. Created the Animal Welfa

India.


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Indian LawViews on

Completeness

Contradictions

Enforceability

Awareness


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Snapshots of legal developments in other

countries

Denmark bans kosher and halal slaughter as minister says animal rights come before religion

The Norwegian Animal Welfare Act is premised on the statement that animals shall be treated

consideration shall be given to the instinctive behavior and natural needs of animals, so that th

causing them unnecessary suffering

The German Animal Welfare Act is premised on the responsibility of human beings for their f

protect the lives and well-being of animals.

In the US, animal cruelty statutes only address behavior that is in violation of the statute and t

punishment for that violation.

The Swiss law, gives guidelines to ensure the welfare of animals before violations of animal cr

occur. Zurich is the only city in Switzerland that has a court appointed animal rights lawyer.

very thorough 160page animal protection law. It governs everything from how much space o

their gerbils, to the water temperature for frogs. It outlines that social animals such as pigs an

companions and that horses and cows get regular exercise. It even requires guardians of dog

course on how to care for their pets. The law also forbids cruelty and abuse.

The Oregon Supreme Court said that animals -- whether they be horses, goats, dogs or cats -

some of the same basic protections as human beings.


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In the Indian context

Our myths and texts are full ofanimals: Hanuman, Jatayu, Nandi,

Jambuvan, Garuda, Mooshika

Jainism teaches that all beings wish

to live, all desire happiness and wish

to avoid misery and suffering and

none wish to die.

Is our compassion limited to stories?


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Literature

Generally limited to Dogs and Cats anddesire to see human-like qualities

(anthropomorphism) in them

What can be done to encourage this ge


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Q & A


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Thank you

Dr. Manjiri Prabhu, Festival Director - 9850594134

Documents

PILF 2014 - Vasudev Murthy