This post was first published on Maitreyi Sundar’s Facebook page and has been reproduced here with permission.
This is my open letter to Mr S Peter, the founder and chairman of the Madha group of academic institutions (to which the ‘doctors-to-be’ who hurled the poor dog off a terrace belong). Please share it if you find it valid, and think it needs to reach his ears.
Dear Sir,
Before you begin reading this letter, I would like for you to pay the small inconvenience of not assuming this to be just the rabid cries of an activist, but rather the genuine concerns of a young mind.
Your official website offered me some insight about the purpose of your group of institutions – ‘an objective of developing the younger generation intellectually and *as socially responsible citizens*’– truly sir, your delinquent students, who chose to throw an animal off a terrace, are a pathetic and lousy reflection of the same.
In my fifteen year old eyes, doctors are celestial creatures with unparalleled ethics and morals. I do not believe that I only speak for myself when I say that a doctor’s actions are always perceived to be those of utmost prudence and knowledge.
Somehow sir, I cannot bring myself to find admiration or faith in the actions of two grown men who could place some psychopathic enjoyment above precious life. I am not suggesting that your students be made to suffer the same pain as the dog; rather, don’t allow them to practice an occupation that requires immense compassion and stability and have them receive psychological help.
I would like to further strengthen my case by saying that statistics show that animal abusers are most likely to indulge in criminal or psychopathic activities; surely you would not want your college to be recognised for admitting people of such natures? It would make the rest of us doubt the quality of the 2000 graduates you produce each year.
Finally Sir, I would like to know what value you place on a hundred rupees. Far too large a sum for a cup of tea? Far too small a price for inhumanity? Even though the law of the land sets them free at this small cost, the expulsion of these men by an honourable and powerful man such as yourself will send a clear message to people that the ill treatment of animals will not be ignored or treated lightly. I hope you do not take an offence to any of my statements.
Thank you,
Maitreyi Sundar
( The letter has been edited for grammar. The views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)
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