Bengaluru Joins Nationwide ‘Do or Die’ Protests Against Alleged State-Sanctioned Cruelty to Stray Animals

Freedom Park, Bengaluru | January 4, 2026

Bengaluru on Sunday joined citizens in over 50 cities across India in nationwide “Do or Die” protests, opposing what demonstrators described as state-sanctioned cruelty against stray animals. The protesters demanded that the Supreme Court hear their concerns and grant citizens a “fair trial” in matters affecting animal welfare, governance, and public safety.

Freedom Park resonated with chants of “Nyaaya beku,” “No dogs, no votes,” and “Awaara nahi, humara hai” as more than 400 protesters, including families and young children, gathered to voice their dissent.

Holding posters depicting alleged instances of cruelty inflicted on dogs and cats across Karnataka, protesters demanded accountability and transparency from civic authorities.

WatchDogs Initiative Announced

The Bengaluru movement also announced the launch of WatchDogs, a citizen-led vigilance initiative aimed at monitoring illegal animal pickups and instances of cruelty. Volunteers said they would intervene through legal means wherever violations occur.

The protesters further demanded the formation of an oversight committee comprising police officials, animal welfare volunteers, and Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) representatives to resolve conflicts amicably and lawfully.

Voices From the Movement

Majari Chaitanya, Founder Trustee, South Bengaluru Cares, said:

“This is not just about dogs. This is about the rule of law, governance failure, and public safety. We demand that the GBA give us a written assurance that illegal dog pickups and caging will stop. We have found dogs confined for days without food or water. The order is being twisted and enforced with impunity. This cannot continue.”

Vikash Bafna, Founder Trustee, Friends for Animal Trust, alleged systemic abuse:

“ABC shelters are being pressured by the GBA to pick up dogs based on fake bite cases. Shelters have no space, yet healthy dogs are being confined in filth. Even three-month-old puppies are being tagged as ‘biting dogs’ and left to die. In a recent raid in Gauribidanur, 70 dogs were found crammed into a cage at a waste management plant, without food or water. This is state-sponsored cruelty. Numerous cases are documented, yet FIRs, arrests, and prosecutions are missing.”

Radha Amarnath, Founder of ASRA and an ABC programme partner, corroborated the claims:

“We were told by an environmental engineer official, ‘There is no infrastructure—you figure it out.’”

Cost and Governance Concerns Raised

Sathwik Putta, a lawyer associated with the movement, questioned the financial rationale behind current policies:

“As per government estimates, ₹575 crore is required merely to cage dogs in pounds or shelters—excluding ABC, vaccinations, construction, or maintenance. This is data for one state alone. ABC costs a fraction of this amount and is proven to work. What problem is being solved, and at whose expense?”

Aniruddha Ravindra, Praana Foundation and Animal Welfare Warden, added:

“When it comes to welfare for all, funds suddenly disappear—no money for midday meals, teacher salaries, or sanitation in public schools. Yet taxpayer money is being wasted on this. We demand an immediate halt to this horrific cruelty and irrational policy.”

Call for Immediate Intervention

The protesters urged the judiciary and authorities to intervene urgently, halt alleged illegal practices, and uphold constitutional and animal welfare laws, warning that public trust and safety were at stake.