Animal rights bodies today launched a campaign asking the Environment Ministry to enhance the punishment for animal cruelty and make it "stronger".
The campaign '#NoMore50' launched by Humane Society International India and People for Animals claimed that it includes a series of videos from Indian celebrities, including Usha Uthup, Sudesh Bhosle, Anup Jalota, Tara Sharma and Arman Mallik.
"It urges the Environment Ministry to increase the punishment for animal cruelty in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960," an HSI statement said.
Noting that the penalty in PCA Act for killing, mutilating and maiming an animal has "never" been revised, it said animal abusers have taken advantage of this "feeble" law and continued to inflict cruelty on animals.
Currently, the maximum penalty even for the most heinous form of animal abuse is a petty Rs 50, it said.
The animal rights body said MP Poonam Mahajan has
Introduced a private members bill seeking an increase in the penalties for animal cruelty through an amendment of the PCA Act.
Leaders from different political parties like Shashi Tharoor, Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, Satyapal, Varun Gandhi, Meenakshi Lekhi and several others already support the campaign.
"It gives us immense strength to see that people from all walks of life are making a strong statement against animal abuse in the country. The penalties in PCA Act, in its current framework, serve no purpose to protect and benefit animals.
"We hope that with this massive support, we are able to move the government to introduce the much needed amendment in PCA Act," said Harish Iyer, Director of Strategic Partnerships for HSI/India.
'#NoMore50' is an opportunity for people to stand up and make their voice heard for animals. People who want to help can Tweet, YouTube and Facebook their selfies holding a placard that reads #NoMore50, it said.
