Dissections not must, says HC

According to them, it is not only a breach of Prevention of Cruelty Act and Experiment on Animals (Control and Supervision) Rules, 1968, but it’s also unnecessary in view of the availability of advanced computerised techniques that eliminate the need for livedissection.

Petitioner-general secretary of Ahimsa, Satnam Ahuja, has said that not only is such dissection banned in foreign countries, but also in Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Computer programmes like `compu-frog’ and `compu-rat’ have replaced the live dissection demos in many schools.

The department of education, Delhi, has issued a notification to all schools informing them of the `optional’ nature of dissection programme.

Interestingly, one Hasmukh Shah had earlier filed a similar petition in 1996, whereby the Maharashtra board had claimed although dissection of frogs and other animals was part of the curriculum, it was not compulsory.

Thereafter, Ahimsa called upon the respondent board to inform educational institutions about the `optional’ nature of the laboratory activity.

However, petitioners claim educational institutions are still under the impression that dissection is part of the syllabus. No formal notification has been issued by the Board to schools and colleges in thisregard.

Ahimsa claims dissection should be avoided since killing of frogs affects environmental balance and helps breed mosquitoes.

Moreover, top educationists feel that such experiments have an adverse psychological impact on children. Besides, such practice also exposes them to risk of infections and diseases.