PU Hosts Workshop on “Advancing Animal Rights: Advocacy and Responsibility”

Chandigarh, March 2, 2026: The Centre for Human Rights and Duties (CHRD), Panjab University, in collaboration with Peedus People, today organised a workshop on “Advancing Animal Rights: Advocacy and Responsibility”. 
The session was facilitated by Inder Sandhu, Founder, Peedus People, an organisation dedicated to advancing the ethical treatment of stray and injured animals. 
The workshop began with an emotional icebreaker, encouraging participants to connect through guided empathy and reflection. Sandhu introduced the concept of “Liquid Meat”, urging the audience to introspect on their food consumption choices, particularly dairy, and highlighting the conditioning of the human brain that normalises dependence on animal milk despite no biological necessity. He emphasised the harsh realities of dairy farming, pointing to systemic cruelty in cow and buffalo breeding, and critiqued the nonchalant societal attitude that perpetuates moral depravity and exploitation of animals. This, he argued, contributes not only to animal suffering but also to broader ecological harm, including air, water, and soil pollution. This was followed by an in-depth exploration of the realities of the dairy system, including domestication, artificial insemination, the fate of male calves, prevention of natural feeding, leather production, oxytocin use, mastitis, illegal transportation, abandonment, and slaughter. 
Through interactive exercises, participants explored the possibility of ethical dairy practices in India. Students of the Centre, particularly those pursuing human rights advocacy as part of their curriculum, engaged in brainstorming sessions and role play activities to understand the perspectives of stakeholders such as consumers, farmers, municipal corporations, animal husbandry officials, government leaders, and religious leaders. The second segment of the workshop focused on problem-solving, where students applied root-cause analysis to identify solutions to the current dairy crisis. Exercises on humane education, breed reduction, and farmer incentives encouraged participants to think critically about sustainable and ethical alternatives.
The workshop had a profound impact on attendees, including master’s students, research scholars, and faculty. Many expressed that the immersive activities helped them connect emotionally with the issue and view animal welfare through a more empathetic lens. The role play exercises shifted perspectives, while the problem-solving sprint inspired participants to consider actionable interventions within their communities. 
Dr. Upneet Kaur Mangat, Chairperson of Centre for Human Rights and Duties, Panjab University, Chandigarh emphasised the importance of Sandhu’s journey from the corporate world to a conscious, cruelty-free path, noting that such transitions inspire students to align professional skills with ethical responsibility. 
The event concluded with an open feedback session, with Sandhu assisted by Parag and Sahil, who encouraged students to volunteer and sensitize communities toward building a humane and healthy society.