Bengaluru | January 8, 2026

Actor and politician Divya Spandana, popularly known as Ramya, has reacted sharply to a recent Supreme Court observation on stray dogs, drawing a pointed comparison to men.

The remarks came during a hearing on Wednesday regarding a petition challenging the apex court’s order on the management of stray dogs. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, argued that stray dogs attacked humans when their space was encroached upon and that treating them with empathy could prevent such incidents.

A three-judge bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, responded that it is impossible to determine a dog’s mood, especially in the morning, and that the potential threat posed by aggressive animals went beyond biting. “How can you identify? Which dog is in what mood in the morning? You don’t know,” Justice Nath said.

Ramya’s sharp response

Reacting to the observation, Ramya took to Instagram, posting:

“Can’t read a man’s mind too—don’t know when he will rape/murder, so put all men in jail?!”

Ramya’s comment underscores her criticism of the court’s statement, using it as a lens to highlight issues around unpredictability and personal safety in broader social contexts. She has previously voiced strong opinions on civic and social matters.

In the past, she had spoken on the Renukaswamy murder case, emphasizing that “no one is above the law” and cautioning against taking justice into one’s own hands. Following those statements, Ramya reportedly received rape and death threats via social media, leading her to file a formal complaint with the Bengaluru police against 43 accounts, resulting in several arrests.

Stray dogs controversy

The Supreme Court’s stray dog orders, first issued in November 2025, require the removal of stray dogs from institutional premises such as schools, hospitals, bus stands, and railway stations, with the animals to be relocated to designated shelters after sterilization and vaccination.

The ruling has sparked protests nationwide, including a recent demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Hundreds gathered to oppose the court’s directive, highlighting the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s alleged failure to properly vaccinate and manage the dog population. Performances by musicians Mohit Chauhan and Rahul Ra marked the event, organized under the theme “Do or Die: One Day, One Voice, One Cause.”

Protesters argued that stray dogs were being unfairly punished for municipal negligence and called for the animals to be returned to the locations from which they were removed, after vaccination and sterilization. Activist Rahul Ram also drew a parallel between the court’s ruling on stray dogs and the regulation of green crackers, criticizing both for a lack of clear implementation strategy.

Ramya’s comments have added a social and gendered perspective to the ongoing debate, linking public safety, civic responsibility, and legal discourse in a conversation that continues to spark national attention.

---