The quiet lawns of Jor Bagh in Delhi became the setting for a moving gathering on Monday evening as BJP leader and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi met an international delegation of Buddhist monks and peace advocates, accompanied by Aloka — the Indian street dog who has become known across the world as the “Peace Dog”.At the heart of the meeting was a profound message: peace, love, compassion, non-violence, and coexistence must extend beyond human society to all living beings.The monks and peace walkers spoke of Aloka not merely as a companion, but as a living symbol of these values — a dog born on the streets of Odisha who has crossed borders, cultures, religions, and continents to remind the world of the transformative power of compassion.Aloka rose to prominence when it joined a group of Buddhist monks who were on a peace walk to India in 2022. The rescue dog later joined these monks across the several-mile journey through 10 states of the US across 108 days between 2025 and 2026.The delegation recalled how Aloka first appeared during their peace walk in Odisha and chose, of his own will, to remain with them.Through long distances, harsh terrain, extreme weather, and the uncertainties of the road, he stayed steadfastly by their side.He would sense danger, warn the group, and yet respond to the world around him with a composure that deeply moved those who walked with him.Members of the delegation said that in all their travels, they had never encountered another dog quite like Aloka. What bound them to him, they said, was something rare and deeply special — a bond built not through ownership or command, but through trust, presence, and shared purpose.Speaking on the occasion, Maneka Gandhi observed that it is both inspiring and deeply ironic that an Indian street dog has come to represent peace and compassion across the world, while many of his fellow community dogs continue to be misunderstood, feared, and unfairly treated as a menace in their own homeland.“If people could see in every community dog even a fraction of what the world sees in Aloka, our attitudes would be very different. Aloka embodies the very best qualities of India’s street dogs: loyalty, courage, resilience, peace, and unconditional love. We hope that his return to India will open the eyes and hearts of our fellow Indians and help them recognise the immense value, dignity, and potential in every community dog.”