Why did a man in dog costume walk into MP’s Khandwa collectorate office? ‘Children are afraid to go to school’
Dog-Costumed Protester Shakes Up Khandwa Collectorate Hearing
Theindiapostdaily.com – In an unusual display that quickly went viral across social media, a person clad in a full dog costume accompanied a political figure into the Jan Sunwai session at the Khandwa collectorate office in Madhya Pradesh. The stunt was staged to draw attention to what organisers described as an escalating stray-dog problem in the city.
The Protest and Its Numbers
Deepak "Mullu" Rathore, the Leader of Opposition at the Khandwa Municipal Corporation and a Congress party figure, arrived at the routine public hearing alongside the costumed companion. He presented the claim that approximately 13,225 residents of Khandwa had sustained dog bites to date, and he accused the Municipal Corporation of failing to curb the stray population despite spending lakhs of rupees on control measures.
"The people of Khandwa are very troubled, and dogs are targeting humans and animals as their prey day by day. So far, around 13,225 people have been bitten by dogs. Despite the Municipal Corporation spending lakhs of rupees, the number of dogs is not decreasing; rather, it is increasing which is causing a lot of trouble for pedestrians at night. Children are afraid to go to school. People have to ride their motorcycles with their feet raised because of the fear of dogs. There is an atmosphere of fear,"
Tender Irregularity Allegation
Beyond the bite statistics, Rathore pointed to what he called irregularities in the tender awarded for a stray-dog sterilisation programme. He explained that the dog-costumed individual was used as a vehicle to lodge a formal application demanding accountability from those he held responsible within the Corporation.
"As part of our protest, we brought up the issue concerning the company that was awarded the tender (sterilisation). We received information that there was some irregularity in the company. Therefore, we submitted the application at the Jan Sunwai through a person dressed as a dog, so that action can be taken and strict action can be initiated against whoever is responsible in the Municipal Corporation,"
Collector's Response
Khandwa Collector Rishav Gupta pushed back on the theatrical approach, stating that such publicity stunts do not belong on the Jan Sunwai platform, where district officials convene to process roughly 200 to 250 applications each session with full seriousness. He nonetheless confirmed that the underlying allegations would be examined.
"During Jan Sunwai, a matter came to light regarding stray animals, particularly the cases of dog bites being reported to the Municipal Corporation. Prima facie, it appears that such publicity stunts are not appropriate. The reason is that the Jan Sunwai platform is a very serious platform where all district officials come together, and around 200 to 250 applications are received and addressed with due seriousness,"
Gupta added that grievances of this nature should channel through established procedural routes rather than staged demonstrations, ensuring they receive proper scrutiny.
"As far as the merits of the matter are concerned, it will be investigated. If any wrongdoing is found, action will certainly be taken,"
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