General Studies (Paper - 2) : Model Question & Answers

Question: “Human Rights should weigh above animal rights in a situation where human lives are at risk.” – Critically analyse.

Answer: Essentially human rights and animal rights flow out of respect that any life form should enjoy. All life forms are dependent upon each other within the intricate web of ecology. As it is said that man cannot live by bread alone, he cannot also live by himself. Further by being the highest form of intellectual life on this planet, man has his/her responsibility to protect all forms of life and prevent wanton killing of any form of life.

However, the question is that in a given situation where human lives are at risk should human rights be allowed to take precedence over animal rights?

Human life is well protected constitutionally under Article 21 which guarantees right to life. The Constitution also ensures quality of life under Part III. However under law, animals do not enjoy right to life. Domesticated animals enjoy right against cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, but not right to life. They can be killed for food as well. Similarly Wildlife Protection Act seeks to conserve them without recognising their right to life. But all these laws are made by man without any role played by animals in it. By his superior knowledge and power over all life forms man cannot arrogate to himself the right to sit in judgement over other life forms. Any decision taken by him in a given situation like that should be guided by ethical and moral principles.