Compassion in Scripture, Cruelty in Practice: A Critical Study of Religious Ethics and Animal Rights in India

The discourse on animal rights has predominantly been shaped by secular legal, philosophical, and ethical narratives. However, religious traditions worldwide have long advanced principles that parallel and, in many cases, predate contemporary movements against animal cruelty. This paper, "Animal Rights in Religious context : A Critical Assessment in the context of Animal Cruelty", undertakes a critical examination of the moral, spiritual, and doctrinal teachings of major religions, reassessing their relevance and applicability in addressing current challenges to animal welfare. Drawing on Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism, the study identifies unifying ethical concepts such as ahimsa (non-violence), compassion, stewardship of creation, and the sanctity of living creatures right to life. Hindu and Jain philosophies place non-harm and reverence for all sentient beings at the centre of moral conduct. Buddhism emphasises universal compassion and the alleviation of suffering across species. Islamic jurisprudence mandates humane treatment and prohibits unnecessary harm. Christian theology frames humanity as caretakers of God’s creation, entrusted with its protection. Sikhism similarly enshrines respect for life as an essential spiritual principle. This re-assessment emerges from the widening gap between these doctrinal ideals and the persistence of systemic cruelty toward animals—manifest in factory farming, exploitative entertainment industries, illegal wildlife trade, and the neglect of stray populations. The paper juxtaposes religious teachings with legal frameworks, particularly the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the evolving interpretation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution to include animal welfare, exploring how religious ethics might complement and strengthen secular law. It further addresses the challenge of selective adherence to, or misinterpretation of, religious principles, often influenced by cultural traditions, economic priorities, and modern consumerist practices. The study advocates for an integrated approach where religious morality actively shapes policy, legal reform, public education, and grassroots initiatives, fostering a deeper, internalised sense of responsibility toward animals beyond mere legal compliance. Ultimately, the paper argues that when reinterpreted in the light of modern ethical imperatives, religious traditions possess significant transformative potential—bridging the moral deficit that enables cruelty, inspiring societal change, and reaffirming the interconnectedness of all life as both a spiritual conviction and a moral duty.