Pune students, animal rights groups march against draft lab animal rules

Students of Fergusson College in Pune, together with the animal rights organisations Simba Animal Save and Peedus People, held a march and a signature campaign on Thursday, October 29, 2026. They demand that the Draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Control and Supervision of Experiment, Breeding and Trading of Laboratory Animals) Rules, 2026 be withdrawn in their present form.

The march began at the main gate of Fergusson College and went to Kalakar Katta. Participants voiced concern about the protection of animals used in experiments. They also shared a QR code that opens an online petition seeking withdrawal of the draft rules.

A major objection of the campaigners is that the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) could approve mild or moderate experiments without having to refer them to the central body, the Committee for the Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA). They ask what independent mechanism would stop experiments causing severe suffering from being placed in these categories to avoid central scrutiny.

Mihika, a second-year student in the fashion department at Fergusson College, said alternatives to animal testing exist. She named organ-on-a-chip systems, 3D cell culture, human tissue models and AI-based in-silico modelling.

In Mihika's words, "Alternatives such as organ-on-a-chip systems, 3D cell culture, human tissue models and AI-based in-silico modelling can be used in place of animal testing. One big flaw is that this experimentation can be harmful to humans too; besides, the process is cruel and carries a greater risk to the lives of animals."

Pooja Agrawal of Peedus People raised concerns over the proposed criteria for approving experiments and the classification of pain levels. She said, "The draft has new criteria for approving experiments, which rest on the level of pain and are divided into three broad categories: mild, moderate and severe. Laboratories will give the recommendations and data for these categories to the central committee. This makes it even harder to monitor the accountability and transparency of the actual process."

The campaigners also expressed concern over provisions relating to stray animals and to wildlife protected under existing laws. They called for stronger independent oversight and for greater investment in scientifically validated alternatives.

The organisers have appealed to the government to withdraw the draft rules in their present form and to give priority to research methods that do not cause animals suffering.