Khandwa: A man wearing a dog mask was brought to a public hearing in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa in an unusual protest against alleged irregularities in the municipal corporation’s stray dog sterilisation programme.

Khandwa Municipal Corporation Leader of Opposition Deepak “Mullu” Rathore used the unusual demonstration to draw attention to the city’s growing stray dog population and increasing cases of dog bites. His complaint prompted Additional Collector Kashiram Badole to assure him that a committee would be formed to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action.

Dog mask protest draws attention

Rathore arrived at the public hearing accompanied by a person wearing a dog mask. A police officer stationed at the entrance initially attempted to stop them from entering the venue, resulting in a brief argument.

Officials inside the hall, however, instructed the police to allow them to enter. The masked individual then took a seat inside the hearing hall and remained there while Rathore presented his complaint before the authorities.

The unusual protest immediately attracted attention from people present at the hearing. Some were surprised by the sight of a person dressed as a dog attending the proceedings, while others reportedly laughed after learning the reason behind the demonstration.

Rathore later explained that the masked person was being presented as a stray dog to symbolically raise questions about the municipal corporation’s sterilisation programme.

Claims rise in dog-bite cases

Rathore submitted a complaint containing figures related to the alleged rise in the number of stray dogs and dog-bite incidents in Khandwa.

According to Rathore, 13,225 people were bitten by dogs in Khandwa over the past four years. He also alleged that the municipal corporation had spent more than Rs 40 lakh during the same period on dog sterilisation.

Despite the expenditure, Rathore claimed that the number of stray dogs in the city continued to increase.

He questioned the effectiveness of the sterilisation programme and sought an investigation into the manner in which funds allocated for the initiative had allegedly been used.

‘Sterilised dog’ becomes centre of protest

The main attraction of Rathore’s demonstration was his presentation of the masked person as a dog who had supposedly undergone sterilisation.

Rathore claimed that the ‘dog’ had been sterilised but had subsequently become the father of six puppies. Through the unusual example, he questioned whether sterilisation procedures were actually being carried out on stray dogs as claimed.

The demonstration was intended to highlight what Rathore described as possible irregularities and shortcomings in the implementation of the municipal corporation’s dog sterilisation drive.

He demanded that the allegations be examined and the records of the sterilisation programme be scrutinised.

Warning of defamation case

Rathore further warned that if his complaint was not properly heard, the ‘dog’ would file a defamation case against the municipal corporation for allegedly carrying out corruption in its name.

He described the masked person as a “very educated and intelligent” dog who had come to the hearing to present his complaint.

According to Rathore, the ‘dog’ had politely approached officials with folded hands to seek justice over the alleged irregularities.

The theatrical presentation turned a civic complaint into an unusual public demonstration, while also drawing attention to the broader issue of stray dog management in the city.

Officials assure investigation

Additional Collector Kashiram Badole heard Rathore’s complaint in detail during the public hearing.

After listening to the allegations, Badole assured Rathore that a committee would be formed to examine the matter. The committee is expected to look into the allegations and take appropriate action based on its findings.

The assurance brought the immediate protest to an end, with Rathore seeking an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the sterilisation programme.

Questions over civic dog management

The protest has brought renewed attention to the challenges faced by civic authorities in managing stray dog populations and addressing dog-bite incidents.

Sterilisation programmes are intended to control the growth of stray dog populations, while vaccination and other measures are also generally used as part of urban animal management efforts. Rathore’s allegations, however, have raised questions over whether the programme in Khandwa has been implemented effectively.

The proposed committee will now have to examine the claims, including the alleged expenditure of more than Rs 40 lakh and the reported number of dog-bite cases cited by the Opposition leader.

For now, the unusual sight of a man in a dog mask at a public hearing has succeeded in drawing public attention to the issue. The next step will depend on the findings of the committee promised by the administration.