Her appeal is simple; extend the idea of “freedom” to include all living beings. This Independence Day, she is asking people to celebrate by showing compassion, not just patriotism.
Image Source: Instagram/@iamseeratkapoor
As the country prepares to celebrate its 79th Independence Day, actress Seerat Kapoor is asking Indians to think about a different kind of freedom: the freedom of stray animals.
This year, the nation is busy with flags, parades, and speeches, but Seerat wants people to remember that the meaning of independence goes beyond just humans. She believes that true freedom includes the right for stray dogs and cats to live safely in the places they call home.
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Her statement comes at a time when the Supreme Court’s recent decision has caused a storm of opinions. The verdict allows the relocation of stray dogs to shelters in Delhi-NCR, with the aim of reducing safety risks.
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However, many animal lovers and activists feel this is unfair and harmful. They argue that it takes away the animals’ natural right to live in their own territories.
Seerat Kapoor, who has a pet dog and has adopted a stray cat, openly shared her feelings: “If we really understand the spirit of independence, then it must include those who can’t speak for themselves. Our stray animals deserve safety, dignity, and peace in the spaces they belong to. Every day, they face cruelty and neglect. We must ask ourselves: are we truly free if we deny kindness to the most vulnerable?”
She urged people to adopt Indian breeds instead of buying expensive foreign ones, saying that each adoption can change a life. “In some parts of India, dogs are worshipped. Around the world, they are loved like family. Their freedom matters too,” she said.
The actress also pointed out the harsh reality of most animal shelters in the country. Many are already overcrowded, underfunded, and unable to give proper care to the animals they house. Moving large numbers of stray dogs into such shelters, she believes, will only make their lives harder.
“Relocating them isn’t a solution, it’s a punishment,” Seerat explained. “We shouldn’t treat their presence as a problem to be shifted elsewhere. They have as much right as we do to live freely and without fear.”
Her appeal is simple; extend the idea of “freedom” to include all living beings. This Independence Day, she is asking people to celebrate by showing compassion, not just patriotism.
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