Prominent Punjabi actress Sonam Bajwa has strongly condemned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s latest administrative directive targeting stray canines across the state.
Taking to her social media, the Border 2 star vehemently criticized the government’s approach, warning that state-sponsored actions cannot be allowed to transition into an unchecked slaughter of voiceless animals.
The escalating controversy ignited on Thursday evening after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the state would launch a sweeping, aggressive enforcement drive starting Friday morning. Mann’s administrative announcement explicitly detailed plans to “eliminate stray and deadly dogs” that pose a continuous threat to commuters, pedestrian travelers, and young children in local residential neighborhoods.
Misinterpreting the Supreme Court: Bajwa Demands Infrastructure Over Cullings
The Chief Minister’s executive decree cited a recent landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of India, which permitted the removal of stray dogs from key public institutions like schools, hospitals, and transit hubs to uphold human safety. However, animal welfare activists and legal experts have pointed out that the apex court’s framework specifically prioritizes compassionate handling, sterilization, vaccination, and systematic shelter placement rather than outright mass extermination.
In a deeply passionate, multi-paragraph public note directed squarely at the Chief Minister, Bajwa sought to clarify the legal boundaries of the top court’s mandate while raising urgent structural questions regarding state municipal capabilities.
“Honourable CM Bhagwant Mann Ji, The Supreme Court did NOT order mass elimination of stray dogs. The Court spoke about regulated removal from sensitive public spaces with sterilization, vaccination and sheltering. Not wiping dogs off the streets. Where are the shelters? Where is the infrastructure? This absolutely cannot become a death sentence for voiceless animals.”
Sonam Bajwa’s direct appeal to the Punjab administration
Calls for a Humane Framework Amid Growing Public Backlash
The actress emphasized that while human safety and public well-being remain absolutely paramount, local administrations must balance enforcement with civil responsibility and moral compassion. Rather than resorting to unilateral municipal crackdowns, Bajwa strongly petitioned the Chief Minister to immediately freeze the campaign and pivot toward a unified, civilized collaborative framework. She urged the government to incorporate:
- Certified animal welfare NGOs and local veterinary networks
- Experienced public health experts and municipal safety authorities
- Scaled-up investments into state-funded Animal Birth Control (ABC) centers
Concluding her viral post, the actress reminded the administration and the public that the manner in which a society treats its most vulnerable, voiceless inhabitants serves as a definitive moral reflection of its core cultural values. While public backlash against the harsh phrasing of the campaign continues to surge across various digital platforms, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office has yet to issue an official response or clarification regarding the operational execution of the drive.