Om Puri Writes to Jayanthi Natarajan

Actor Om Puri has spoken up for the need to have stronger legislation to protect animals in India. He has teamed up with PETA and sent a letter to Jayanthi Natarajan, the new Union Minister for Environment and Forests, imploring her to do everything in her power to hasten enactment of the new Animal Welfare Act, 2011.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has drafted a new animal protection law to replace the outdated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The new draft Animal Welfare Act, 2011, would greatly increase the penalties for cruelty to animals – penalties that are currently so weak that they have virtually no deterrent effect.

“Considering that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, was enacted 50 years ago, it is time for India’s animal welfare laws to get a much-needed 21st-century makeover”, wrote Puri. “I hope the government will put politics aside and give our animals the basic protection that they deserve by passing the Animal Welfare Act, 2011.”

You can help. Write to the ministry now and urge them to pass legislation to ensure better treatment of our animal friends.