Sonam Bajwa's Plea To Punjab CM For Stray Dogs Draws Mixed Reactions
Sonam Bajwa urged Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to halt death sentence in stray dog crackdown and demanded humane solutions.
Punjabi and Bollywood actress Sonam Bajwa has stepped up to speak for the voiceless. As the Punjab government initiates a massive statewide population control campaign aimed at community animals, the actress has publicly cautioned against excessive and harsh measures. Taking a firm stand on social media, Sonam Bajwa directed a heartfelt plea to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, urging local authorities to prioritise compassion and practical infrastructure over hasty removals. In a passionate Instagram post, Sonam Bajwa clarified the legal context surrounding the issue, emphasising that the Supreme Court's directives are being misinterpreted by many.
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“The Supreme Court did NOT order mass elimination of stray dogs,” she wrote in her statement addressed to the Honourable CM. “The Court spoke about regulated removal from sensitive public spaces with sterilization, vaccination and sheltering, Not wiping dogs off the streets.”
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Check out Sonam Bajwa’s Instagram post below:
Raising critical questions about the state's readiness to ethically manage such a large-scale operation, the Bollywood actress pointed out the glaring lack of rehabilitation systems. “Where are the shelters? Where is the infrastructure?” she questioned. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, she added, “This absolutely cannot become a death sentence for voiceless animals. Public safety matters. Human lives matter. But compassion and responsibility matter too.”
Rather than relying solely on removal drives, Sonam Bajwa proposed a balanced, long-term framework. She made a humble request for the government to foster collaboration. She urged authorities to “bring animal welfare NGOs, veterinarians, local authorities and public safety experts to one table and work toward a humane, practical and sensitive solution”. She concluded her powerful message with a poignant reminder: “Because how we treat the voiceless ultimately reflects who we are as a society.”
Her advocacy quickly garnered massive support online, racking up over 46,000 likes – including a nod from Bollywood star Varun Dhawan. Industry colleagues also flooded the comments section, with Suyyash Rai expressing his gratitude and actor Mansha Bahl praising her, noting that “it takes guts to stick ur neck out for voiceless beings n that too in a place u work.”
However, some users called out Sonam Bajwa’s post. One user wrote, “Why dnt u guys keep the drama only for the movies…. Do u even care fr the dogs? Do u even know the matter? Number of dog bite cases? Deaths due to it…. U are already famous no need fr such stunts.”
Another one added, “Mam can we please transport some of the dogs to your house ? Atleast some of them will have a shelter.”
“Sad story of life today: Dont want to speak on paper leaks that took youngsters life yet showing concern about dogs,” another user said.
One person commented, “It's very easy to say ....Madam I have witnessed two dog bite cases within a week .... and so disappointing to see when the surrounding people show more kindness to dogs than taking the patients to hospital.”
The catalyst for Sonam Bajwa's appeal is the Punjab government's official stray dog management campaign, which was set into motion on May 22. This drive comes in the wake of a severe surge in reported dog-bite incidents across the region, putting immense pressure on municipal bodies to find systemic solutions. The crisis gained significant administrative attention earlier this year when the Punjab State Human Rights Commission intervened on March 10, 2026. Taking suo motu cognisance of the rising animal attacks, the commission formally demanded exhaustive data from health departments and municipal corporations to assess the scale of the public health hazard.
Following these compounding pressures, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the AAP-led administration would strictly enforce the Supreme Court's latest recommendations. According to administrative briefings, the May 22 operation is specifically designed to isolate and manage highly aggressive stray animals that pose an imminent danger to vulnerable pedestrians, commuters, and children.
However, the rapid execution of this campaign has sparked intense scrutiny. Civic activists, residents, and animal welfare groups argue that without rigorous transparency, institutional monitoring, and adequate sheltering infrastructure, the specialized drive risks devolving into an inhumane or excessive culling operation.
While using her platform for animal welfare, the outspoken actress continues to make waves on the professional front. Sonam Bajwa was most recently seen on the silver screen in the war drama ‘Border 2’, where she shared the frame with Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, and notably, her recent Instagram supporter, Varun Dhawan.
