Actor and former parliamentarian Divya Spandana, popularly known as Ramya, has sparked a public discussion with a sharp response to a recent Supreme Court observation made during hearings related to the stray dogs issue.
During proceedings on Wednesday, the apex court remarked that it is not possible to determine a stray dog’s mood at a given time, noting that unpredictability could pose a threat of attacks. The observation was made while hearing petitions challenging the court’s earlier directions on the management of stray dogs in public spaces.
Reacting to the remark, Ramya shared an Instagram story drawing a broader social analogy. “Can’t read a man’s mind either — don’t know when he will rape or murder, so put all men in jail?” she wrote, questioning the logic of using unpredictability as a basis for restrictive measures.
Supreme Court’s Observation on Stray Dogs
The comments from the court came as senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, argued that dog attacks often occur when animals feel threatened or when their space is invaded, and that empathy towards animals could help reduce such incidents.
Justice Vikram Nath, responding on behalf of the bench, stated that the concern extended beyond bites to the general threat perception. “How can you identify which dog is in what mood in the morning?” he observed.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria is hearing the matter.
In November last year, the Supreme Court had directed that stray dogs be removed from institutional premises such as schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands, and railway stations, and relocated to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination, following due process.
Ramya’s History of Speaking on Social Issues
This is not the first time Ramya has voiced strong opinions on issues of civic and social importance. She previously drew attention during the Renukaswamy murder case, commenting on actor Darshan’s arrest and stating that no individual is above the law.
“You don’t go around beating or killing people. A simple complaint would suffice,” she had said at the time, also calling for justice for the victim’s family.
Following those remarks, Ramya reportedly received rape and death threats online and later filed a formal complaint with Bengaluru Police against dozens of social media accounts. Authorities had confirmed that multiple arrests were made in connection with the threats.
Protests Over Stray Dogs Order Continue
The Supreme Court’s directions on stray dogs have led to protests across several cities. Most recently, activists gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, urging the rollback of the court’s order.
Musicians Mohit Chauhan and Rahul Ram participated in the demonstration, calling for humane and scientifically driven solutions. Protesters argued that civic bodies, particularly the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), should be held accountable for ineffective vaccination and sterilisation programmes, rather than penalising animals.
The debate over stray dog management continues to draw strong reactions from legal experts, animal welfare activists, and public figures alike.
