While protesting the dog’s murder, activists demanded that Yoronso, the 30-year-old student accused of killing the dog, should be barred from submitting his thesis to any university, either in India or abroad. “It is shocking that no authority is taking action; Yoronso should immediately be put behind bars,” Rukmini Sekhar, animal rights activist from Citizens for Animals, said.

“Killing of the dog in such a manner is illegal, inhuman and a criminal offence. Yoronso is a criminal and should be treated as such,” said Sonya Ghosh, an animal rights activist who lodged a complaint with police in the case.

Another animal rights activist, Rishi Dev, said: “We condemn JNU for its reluctance to take severe action against Yoronso. The university authorities (should) immediately make the campus inaccessible for him.”

The Animal Welfare Board of India has meanwhile asked JNU Vice-Chancellor Prof B B Bhattacharya to take immediate action against the accused student. The welfare board has said that Yoronso has “committed a criminal offence under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and Sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code with the utmost cruelty and depravity possible at room no. 248 at Kaveri Hostel, JNU campus, on the night of July 7.” The police have not registered an FIR in the case; no investigation has been initiated yet. Spiritual leader Swami Agnivesh was present in today’s candlelight vigil and condemned the killing of the dog.

“If the police do not take action, we will be forced to move the court,” Sonya Ghosh said.