New Delhi— Authorities generally preach compassion and kindness towards fellow beings and animals but the reality is the opposite & ugly many times. In one such unmindful incident that took place earlier this week, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) razed down a makeshift shelter of an octogenarian Pratima Devi, popularly referred to as Amma.

Delhi HC orders status quo, next hearing on March 15.

The 80-year-old woman has been caring for over 400 dogs in a shelter she runs near PVR Anupam in South Delhi's Saket area for past 30 years. A ragpicker from New Delhi, she works a full day and earns less than Rs 200 but feeds 200+ stray dogs on daily basis with food, medicines & her true love.

Amma survived the most difficult times during COVID but now is shattered after the MCD demolished her home, leaving her helpless and homeless with her canines. Thanks to the activists and animal lovers who stepped ahead to lend a helping hand. The MCD act was challenged at the Delhi High Court which heard the case and ordered a status quo to be maintained until next hearing slated for March 15.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri in his order observed that the MCD demolished the woman's home without prior notice leaving the woman roofless in the harsh winter. Hence the court permitted her to put up a tarpaulin as an interim measure.

After Amma's plight was known to activists and animal lovers through social media, help has started pouring in myriad forms. People have come together to construct temporary community shelters for the mute creatures.

"Relocation and abandonment were unlawful and against Dharma in the times of Mahabharata, and they remain Adharma in present times. Compassion is for all. Seva for all sentient beings is the only way to peace", actor and animal right activist Tarana Singh told The Mooknayak.

She have been mobilizing help from various sources through her social media handles. Manjunath Karmath, another activist from Gurgaon says "It’s due to people like Amma that humanity is still alive. The majority of our population is capable of taking care of minimum one community animal, but they are more interested to fill up their own coffers as if they are going to carry it to next world."