The Silent Agony of Shaktiman: Does She Deserve Dignity in Death?

Should Shaktiman be administered euthanasia to put an end to prolonged agony, asks animal rights activist Rishi Dev

The name Shaktiman is a powerful Hindi word which reflects a union of power and esteem. Yet the beautiful police horse got neither appreciation for her selfless service, nor respect as a living being. I will not start this piece by discussing Mahatma Gandhi, who warned us that the world would know us by the way we treat our animals, as we have to be truly civilised in order to understand the nuances of such a statement.

Shaktiman, the police horse, was allegedly hit brutally by an angry politician, who was, at the time of the incident, supposedly fighting for righteousness. It is, of course, a waste of words to talk at length about mute beings being subjugated by ignorant humans, as it has been happening since time immemorial. But legally speaking, it should be treated as a very serious issue in India.

Equal Rights for Animals

There are laws and constitutional provisions directly protecting people and animals from all kinds of discrimination. From the ancient Vedas to the contemporary Mahabharata, our great ancestors had always compared animals with human children and safeguarded them.

These laws were amalgamated to reinforce and implement a combined essence of a thousand years of tradition, practice, cultural ethics and a deep-rooted lifestyle which survived many plagues of the human mind and conflict between species of this planet. They were constituted by thinkers to save man from the wrath of his own “ego”.

They leashed the human mind and stopped them from crossing the line from where ego and the notion of superiority only lead to self-destruction. We humans stand erect as winners, not because we were the fittest species to survive, but because we had learned to coexist mutually and what constitutes a “modern” society.

We were not the fittest species but were definitely the wisest, as we had learned the art of humility and tolerance, which could imprison anger and hatred. This philosophy later formulated the basic building blocks of the Constitution of India, which are laid down in the canons of “Fundamental Rights”, “Duties” and the “Directive Principles of State Policies” in detail.

And today the Hon’ble courts of India are re-emphasising these laws through landmark judgements giving animals equal rights. The FBI, Interpol and certain countries have now recognised crimes against animals in the same category as crimes against humans and have even granted citizen status to non-humans.

Justice for Shaktiman

• A maimed horse allegedly beaten by a BJP MLA raises the issue of equal rights for animals, emphasised by courts.
  
• The FBI, Interpol and certain countries have now recognised crimes against animals in the same category as crimes against humans.
  
• Focus should be on the culprit because by not discussing the fate of the criminal we are giving birth to a new hierarchical order.
  
• Having equal constitutional rights in India, Shaktiman is entitled to a full medical assistance and compensation.
  
• The excruciatingly painful situation of Shaktiman also raises the question of whether she should be euthanised, saving her from prolonged agony.
  

Dignified Life for Muted Beings

In any civilised society, the question of a dignified life now holds value for animals as well.

So while on one level it is easy and convenient to put down Shaktiman on compassionate grounds – to cover up the misdeeds of a ruthless, reckless and uncivilised politician – on the other hand by not discussing the fate of the criminal, we are giving birth to a new hierarchical order. Having equal constitutional rights in India, Shaktiman is entitled to full medical assistance and compensation. She is entitled to justice and a respectable life. She is, as per our own Constitution, not an object anymore.

In a developed, civilised nation, he has a status – even more so when the crime was committed against him while she was engaged in police service. Hence, it becomes even more important for the government to make sure that her life is saved and she is served well. At the same time, criminal proceedings must be initiated against this politician in the best interest of our future.

Should Shaktiman be Euthanised?

Another argument which emphasises euthanising Shaktiman on compassionate grounds may also be right in one sense. In our currently chaotic society, where lawkeepers flaunt power and break laws in broad daylight, and where there is no value for human life, it would be better to end the suffering sooner rather than later. But we may choose that option once we accept that the society we belong to is the one we want our children to see. While the rest of the world has developed advanced medical assistance for terminally ill animals, we may choose to ignore it all and move on.

Hence in the end, the question whether Shaktiman should live or not is not about her suffering alone. She has suffered enough. It’s also about whether we want to have a safe and civilised society or whether we are okay with the way we are – barbaric and brutal – where the law of the jungle may prevail over our future.

(The writer is an animal rights activist and founder of ‘Citizens for Animal Rights’)

Also Read: Dear Shaktiman, We Humans Have Failed You...