Like men all living creatures have the right to live. Confinement of birds in cages violates their right to live. Now it is the fundamental right of birds to live freely in the open sky and it is the duty of every citizen to see that there is no unnecessary pain or suffering to animal or bird as per Gujarat High Court’s verdict especially when everybody is talking about fundamental rights of the citizen, such as, right to live freely, to food, to move freely, to information, to education etc.
In fact, it is imperative for a person taking to the spiritual exercises in relation to the animal kingdom to fully realize his close relation with it. He should try to awaken or develop feeling of affection in his heart towards various species of the animal kingdom by reflecting or meditating upon their beautiful forms and the good qualities which have evolved in them.
Whether we may give credit “God” or “Nature” or a “Prime Mover” before the Big Bang or Evolution, it has taken millions to billions of years for the present creation or natural order of life to evolve. With our growing powers, we are fully capable to destroying ourselves as well as other living beings that now form an intricate part of nature. Keeping the birds in the cage we will loose the biodiversity which cannot be brought back as species have taken billions of years to form during the course of evolution. Thus, who keep the animals in cage must be dealt with severely under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Wildlife Protection Act, so that they too could live and fly freely.
We must appreciate those who have the love for birds. But the manner in which the birds are kept in small cages, that tool when their wings are cut, their tails are cut, on their wings cell-tape is put and their are rings on their feet, nothing can be more heinous than such acts and there cannot be more glaring example of atrocity and inhumanity.
In fact, in practical is, the birds which remain in cage for years together even if released are not able to fly and it reminded me an anonymous couplet:
“Pinjra khola bhi to par katne ke baad,
Yeh kesi dariya dilli hai, yeh kaisi rehai hai”
Everybody must follow the Commandments and Prohibitions as study of and meditation on inter-personal and infra human relations, appearing in the “Dev Shastra Part IV” in spiritual exercises in relation to the Animal Kingdom, must be followed by one and all, for developing every higher-conduct-inspiring feeling in relation to the animal kingdom.
