Pune Bids Farewell to Forgotten Lives on National Animal Rights Day
Reported by Devapriya K J
Shivajinagar, 1st June 2025: The usually vibrant Fergusson College Road witnessed a rare moment of silence and reflection today as volunteers gathered to mark National Animal Rights Day (NARD) with a solemn funeral ceremony, paying tribute to animals who have suffered and died due to human exploitation.
From 12 PM to 3 PM, outside Westside on FC Road, members of Pune Animal Liberation stood silently in black attire, holding the lifeless bodies of deceased animals — victims of slaughterhouses, laboratories, and factory farms. The scene was both haunting and respectful, drawing the attention of passersby, many of whom paused to witness the powerful tribute.
The demonstration aimed to honour the billions of animals who die each year at the hands of human consumption and industry. Organisers clarified that no animals were bought or traded for the event; all had either been found deceased or were surrendered by individuals and organisations aware of the memorial’s symbolic purpose.
“This isn’t a protest; it’s a memorial,” said one volunteer. “We are here to preserve the dignity of these animals and confront society with the realities hidden behind their daily choices.”
The event also included emotional speeches, impromptu testimonies from passersby, and a peaceful rally along the 2-km stretch of FC Road. Activists chanted for justice, compassion, and a shift in how society views and treats non-human lives.
The demonstration remained peaceful, apolitical, and respectful of all cultural and religious sentiments. For many citizens, it was a sobering first encounter with the consequences of their lifestyle choices — a moment of reckoning, and reflection.
