Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 19 (ANI): A man wearing a dog mask staged a unique symbolic protest at the Khandwa Collectorate, alleging that funds meant for the sterilisation of stray dogs were misused and claiming that “we are being defamed” because of the rising stray dog population in the city.
The man arrived at the weekly public grievance hearing on Tuesday and submitted a complaint against the Khandwa Municipal Corporation. He was accompanied by Khandwa Municipal Corporation Leader of Opposition Mullu Rathore, who supported the protest aimed at highlighting the city’s stray dog menace.
Explaining his unusual form of protest, the man said he wore the dog mask to seek justice and draw attention to alleged corruption in the civic body’s sterilisation programme.
“I did this for justice. We are being defamed, but the real fault lies with the Nagar Nigam. They are committing corruption in our name, corruption in the name of sterilising us. We are being defamed,” the protester told ANI.
He alleged that the municipal corporation received funds for sterilisation but that the exercise was not carried out, resulting in an increase in the stray dog population.
“They received funds in the name of sterilising us but no sterilisation was done and it led to a rise in our population. People feel that we bite them, but we are not at fault,” he said.
The protester also claimed that stray dogs had increasingly struggled to find food, which, he said, contributed to incidents of dogs chasing people.
“Earlier, we used to get something to eat, but that doesn’t happen anymore. So, we will obviously chase after people,” he said.
He urged the district administration to investigate the allegations and take strict action against those allegedly diverting funds allocated for the sterilisation programme.
“We demand justice from the Collector. Strict action should be taken against those who are siphoning off in our name, those who are defaming us,” he said.
The protester said the unusual demonstration had attracted attention and expressed confidence that authorities would act on his complaint.
“I know I went viral. I am confident that I will get justice,” he said.
The demonstration has drawn attention to allegations concerning the implementation of the municipal corporation’s stray dog sterilisation programme and the broader issue of managing the city’s stray dog population. (ANI)
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