Rabies continues to be a major problem in India even as we enter the 21st century without clear national policies for its control, in contrast to the progress made by most other countries in Asia. It is believed that more than 50 per cent of all rabies cases worldwide occur in India. Our neglect of rabies may be a matter of lack of political will or of professional competence and dedication of the public health leadership; it is also a matter of great concern from the point of view of violation of ethics and human rights. This latter issue is the subject of this essay.