I love my non-human buddies

We should protect digs

This issue matters deeply to me because it is not just about stray dogs: it is about the kind of community we choose to be.

I strongly believe that no decision can ever be justified when it targets the weakest and the voiceless. Stray dogs do not have the power to defend themselves, to argue their case, or to seek protection. When institutions act against them in the name of convenience or fear, it reflects not strength, but a failure of empathy.

Dogs have always been an integral part of our environment, even within academic spaces like IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. For years, these animals have peacefully coexisted with students and staff. They are familiar faces on our walks to class, silent companions during late-night study sessions, and often a source of comfort during stressful times. Many of us have formed quiet but meaningful bonds with them. Their presence has added warmth and humanity to an otherwise demanding campus life.

Evicting them is not a solution: it is displacement of responsibility.

If safety is the concern, there are proven, humane, and scientific methods to address it: sterilization, vaccination, and proper monitoring. Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs have been shown across India to effectively reduce aggression and stabilize dog populations. Forced relocation, on the other hand, only creates chaos. New, unvaccinated dogs move into the territory, conflicts increase, and the problem worsens. Eviction is not just inhumane: it is ineffective.

What troubles me even more is how recent legal rulings are being misunderstood and misused, creating an atmosphere where cruelty feels justified. When animals are removed from their territories, they are often abandoned, starved, or subjected to violence. They suffer silently for a problem they did not create.

As an educational institution, our campus should stand for knowledge, compassion, and ethical responsibility: not fear-driven decisions that punish the helpless.

To me, protecting these dogs is not merely about animal welfare. It is about upholding empathy, coexistence, and humanity. If we cannot show kindness to those who depend entirely on our mercy, what does that say about us as a society?

I believe we can choose a better path: one that protects both people and animals. One that replaces displacement with care, and fear with understanding.