Viral video: Ghaziabad woman slapped multiple times over feeding stray dogs

On Friday, a woman in Ghaziabad, identified as Yashika Shukla, was reportedly assaulted for feeding stray dogs near her apartment complex in Brahmaputra Enclave, Siddharth Vihar. The incident, which lasted approximately 40 seconds, was recorded and later circulated on social media.

The alleged assailant, identified as Kamal Khanna, was captured on video slapping Shukla eight times during the confrontation. In the recording, Shukla is seen stepping back while asking a bystander to document the situation, to which Khanna replied he encouraged the recording.

Surbhi Rawat, president of People for Animals, commented on the incident, stating that Khanna exhibited intimidating behavior towards Shukla at night, while she was simply attending to stray animals. Khanna, however, contended that Shukla initiated the physical altercation.

Following the assault, local police were alerted, leading to Khanna’s arrest. This incident occurred shortly after the Supreme Court of India modified its ruling regarding stray dogs, stipulating that dogs collected under a previous order should be returned post-sterilization and immunization unless they are rabid or aggressive.

Why it matters:

• This incident raises awareness about the treatment of animals and the challenges faced by individuals advocating for their welfare.
• It highlights the ongoing discussions surrounding stray dog management and public safety in urban areas.