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Maneka Gandhi.
Photo courtesy of the CPCSEA
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Maneka Gandhi is a renowned activist who works
on behalf of animals, poor people and the environment. Mrs. Gandhi
is a born politician—she is the widow of Sanjay Gandhi,
the son of Indira Gandhi (former Prime Minister of India). She
served as Minister of the Environment from 1989 to 1991 and returned
to Parliament in 1998 as the Minister of Welfare and was appointed
as chairwoman of the Committee for the Purpose of Control and
Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA). Under her direction,
unannounced inspections of laboratories where animals are used
for scientific research were conducted, and abominable conditions
and cruelty were documented and exposed. The CPCSEA imposed restrictions
that brought some of the abuse to a stop. Political upheaval
caused by vested interests eventually forced her to resign from
the position. She continues to serve in Parliament.
After just one conversation with former Union Minister for Animal
Welfare Maneka Gandhi, I became convinced of two things:
First, she has a sharp mind and quick wit; second, she
is fierce and fearless in her quest to protect animals.
When I arrived in India over three years ago to open PETA’s
first office in Asia, Maneka Gandhi ‘welcomed’ me
by yelling at me over the telephone about my ineptitude. Unaware
that I was speaking to a Union Minister, I hollered right back at her. But,
since this rocky start, I have come to view her with profound respect
as a politician who can get things done because she will settle for
no less than the best from everyone, herself included.
Usually, I’m sticking up for and being awe-inspired by some
magnificent or humble animal. This time, while my theme has not
changed, I offer these thoughts about a member of my own species.
It was with a heavy heart that I watched the January shake-up of Prime
Minister Vajpayee’s government and the resignation of a woman
who wanted the most from human potential. I have come to know
Maneka Gandhi and I can say with certainty that, love her or hate
her, if Mrs. Gandhi is not in a position to exert some authority,
the poor and the animals of India will be the worse for it. In
all my years of working with government officials (including a
bizarre stint following former American Vice President Al Gore
on the campaign trail that won his support for an end to certain
animal tests) I have never seen someone so dedicated to doing the
best job possible to bring relief to those with no clout, no matter the
personal cost.
What Maneka Gandhi has accomplished speaks for itself. She has helped seize animals
from filth and misery in traveling circuses, zoos and laboratories;
passed laws protecting animals neglected by the government for
decades; founded an animal protection organization, People for Animals;
and written books about animal exploitation. It was she who persuaded
the giant Coca Cola company to cancel its sponsorship of bullfights
in Mexico; helped win international agreement on the protection
of rhinos in Africa; renamed our street dogs ‘Indian dogs’ and
convinced rich people, through personal example, that Indian dogs
are more desirable than purebreds.
Maneka Gandhi accomplished all this, and more, working from her home office,
with every nook and cranny of her own living space filled with staff and
papers and the most difficult of her rescued Indian dogs. Her home is
filled with the strays rejected by others, including a dog called Nuts,
whom no one else could tame, who now eats out of Maneka Gandhi’s hand
and snuggles on her lap.
Conversation with Maneka Gandhi is always stimulating. With a razor-sharp
mind, she seems incapable of not challenging and provoking whoever
is within earshot to live up to their potential. She seems to expect
more of humanity than humanity expects of itself. Perhaps she was
born that way, or perhaps because she herself has suffered, she will not
tolerate suffering that can be alleviated. In this way, perhaps she is
misunderstood. What some may see as abrasiveness, I believe is simply her
expectation that we must accept the task before us without shirking,
that we can and must live up to the Indian ideal of ahimsa and respect
for all life.
It will be a tragedy for animals and for India if Mrs. Gandhi is prevented
from carrying on her vital work. We need Maneka Gandhi’s leadership,
dedication and, yes, even her nagging.
Jason Baker is the India Representative
for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Visit www.PETAIndia.com to
learn more about PETA’s activities in India. To learn
more about Maneka Gandhi, see the Satya interview
in The Way of Compassion (Stealth
Technologies). The CPCSEA released photos of and reports
on the animal abuse found in laboratories, which can be seen
online at www.cpcsea.com.
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