Target: Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
Goal: Criminalize sexual abuse against animals, aligning with recommendations from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs (PSCOHA).
A critical omission in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, has raised significant concerns. This draft, meant to supplant the Indian Penal Code of 1860, currently lacks provisions against sexual abuse of animals, a protection that exists under Section 377 of the IPC. Reports indicate a worrying prevalence of such crimes in India, with nearly 500,000 animals, including cows and dogs, having suffered in the past decade.
The research underscores a disturbing correlation between cruelty to animals and violence against humans. An alarming 71% of women in domestic abuse shelters reported threats or harm to their pets by their abusers. Furthermore, studies reveal that individuals engaged in animal cruelty are thrice as likely to commit heinous crimes like murder, rape, and assault.
In light of these findings, PETA India, along with other animal welfare organizations, has been vociferously advocating for the inclusion of stringent legal measures against animal sexual abuse in the BNS. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, following deliberations with PETA India, has recommended incorporating these crucial protections. However, the current draft of BNS remains silent on this vital issue. Demand action now.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
We call upon your esteemed office to urgently address a significant oversight in the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The current draft lacks provisions to penalize sexual abuse against animals, an alarming gap in what is otherwise a progressive legal reform.
Given the robust evidence linking animal cruelty to broader societal violence, it is paramount that our legal framework reflects a commitment to safeguarding all living beings. The exclusion of such provisions not only compromises the welfare of animals but also potentially endangers the broader public.
We urge you to heed the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs and ensure the inclusion of necessary clauses in the BNS to criminalize sexual abuse against animals. By doing so, India can fortify its legal system against all forms of abuse and violence, upholding the values of compassion and justice for all beings.
Your action in this matter will not only protect animals but also contribute to the creation of a safer, more empathetic society.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Žaneta Mišutová
