Black day for Veterinary Profession

Pashu Sandesh, 23 June 2021

Veterinarians all over the country are observing today as Black day for Veterinary Profession. The Vets are protesting and have called for the boycott of Maneka Gandhi an MP in Lok Sabha from Sultanpur constituency in UP. In a viral audio clipping, Maneka Gandhi is allegedly threatening a Veterinary Doctor from Agra demanding a huge sum as compensation for seemingly a failed operation on a Dog. In the audio Ms Gandhi allegedly could be heard using very cheap language, threatening words, abuses to the whole Veterinary community including their parents. She can also be heard wielding the administrative authority of a Parliamentarian and issuing open threats of cancellation of the Veterinary licence and the shutting down of the clinic besides arrest by the police. Different Veterinary associations all over the country have come out in full support and organised protests and demonstrations. Hashtag #Boycott Maneka Gandhi is also trending on Twitter.

The audio clip is in the public domain for anyone to hear and judge. Maneka Gandhi besides being a member of Parliament is also a known Animal activist and founder of People for Animal NGO which also has its own Veterinary hospital. Ms Gandhi is not new to the controversy and in the name of animal activism often heard threatening the other party with the filing of false cases and subsequent harassment if her demands are not met. In a recent article in a local newspaper, she has in the name of advice abused the Veterinary profession. 

The role of a leader is to inspire. We have all seen images of PM Modi getting a shot of COVID 19 vaccination and that image has inspired millions to get vaccinated. Ms Gandhi being an MP and a Public figure carry huge responsibility and as an Animal activist herself, the compassion for animals can’t be arbitrary if it does not involve respect for their caregivers. The quality and the manner of the delivery of the Veterinary services could be a debatable issue but demeaning the entire profession and the professionals by such a senior MP is highly deplorable and must be opposed with all the means available. 

Pashu Sandesh, highly condemn the views and attitude of Ms Maneka Gandhi toward the Vets and the Veterinary Profession and assure untiring support for the Veterinary community in their fight for upholding the pride and dignity of the Veterinary profession.