The President, 

Defence Colony Welfare Association (DCWA)

The Gumbad

Defence Colony,

New Delhi-11024

Dear Sir,

Subject: Rights and obligations of residents and their Welfare Associations

Re :Harassment of dog walking residents on the Nullah Park.

Good day President Sir!

Good wishes to you and the esteemed members of the Defence Colony Welfare Association.

I bring to your kind attention, that whilst walking on the Nullah Park, I have been accosted by guards ostensibly appointed by DCWA, preventing me from walking with my dog. Whilst they have stopped and attempted to engage me in a conversation, I have refrained from doing so, assuming they are doing so on the orders of their superiors. Other friends and pet owners with whom we exchange pleasantries, have reported similar experiences, that they too have been accosted, all of us being traumatised by this an extra constitutional policing being imposed upon law abiding residents.

I would like to respectfully enquire on the following:

a)  a) Under which rule of the RWA charter is the esteemed Association preventing animals from walking/ being walked anywhere in the colony?

b)   b) Under which rule of the RWA have the security guards been given the authority to harass and obstruct residents / citizens walking on the nullah park or anywhere else?

c)    c) Who in the RWA will be responsible if ladies and/or elderly people walking alone without their dogs, for their safety are subjected to harassment or worse?

d)      d) What does the RWA propose to do, if anything, about stray dogs and other animals all over the colony, and specifically with no restriction on their ingress /egress into parks, whilst owners with pets are subjected to strictures?

e)    e) Is the RWA aware of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and its rulings on this subject as well as liabilities for contravening their existing orders on the subject? Kindly find herewith a link for your ready reference : http://www.awbi.org/

I would further like to add that AWBI has largely ruled in favour of residents. Dr Chinni Krishna, vice-chairman, AWBI states "You cannot ban the keeping of pet dogs by residents nor disallow the pet from using the society lift or parks”. He further adds, "In fact, in trying to ban pets you interfere with a fundamental freedom guaranteed to the citizens of India, i.e. the freedom to choose the life they wish to live”. Consequently, it would reflect very poorly on our community if AWBI was approached for relief on a matter which essentially is a colony issue. You could read more on this subject with the link given herewith, that appeared in the Times of India Mumbai.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Cannot-ban-pets-in-societies-Animal-Welfare-Board-of-India/articleshow/31835582.cms

It is suggested that till such time as the DCWA has had the opportunity to weigh in on these important matters, and respected RWA officials who are after all responsible for the larger good of all society as per the Laws of India, let the residents know in the correct manner on their deliberations and decisions, the current practice of RWA guards obstructing people and animals from going about their lawful activities apparently under the instructions of the RWA maybe ceased forthwith.

In conclusion we could draw inspiration from the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who states:”The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. We mustn't forget that this planet was created for all living beings, may it be man animal or plant, all having the right to live and coexist peacefully.

With the very highest regards to you Sir, and the members of DCWA,

Yours Faithfully

Rajeev Suri

Veeresh Malik

Inderjeet Singh

Harsukh Pal Singh

Arun Kripal

Inderjit Bath

Anuj Bakshi

Mani Shaunik

Vandana Malhotra

Aarti Suri

and many more...... 

2nd April 2014