The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly witnessed a lively showdown on Tuesday as lawmakers tackled the escalating stray dog problem in Bhopal. Day two of the budget session brought the issue into sharp focus, revealing frustrations over failed containment measures.
First-term Congress MLA Aatif Akil from Bhopal Uttar kicked off the attention motion, decrying the explosion in stray dog numbers and daily bite cases. He accused the Bhopal Municipal Corporation of squandering Rs 2 crore on sterilizations and shots, yet failing to curb the menace. ’40-50 bites occur every day, targeting vulnerable kids and seniors,’ he highlighted, calling it a blatant lapse in public safety.
Akil emphasized that routine captures and treatments haven’t dented the population. ‘What started as nuisance has evolved into a health hazard,’ he warned the house.
Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya countered with data, pointing to a proactive dog squad and 26,900 vaccinations this year. With ample anti-rabies vaccines in stock, he dismissed death claims from bites. Infusing tradition, Vijayvargiya noted, ‘Hunger makes dogs feral—remember to share rotis with them, cows, and ants.’
Sparks flew as Congress’s Bhawar Singh Shekhawat prodded the minister’s commitment, while BJP’s Uma Kant Sharma joked about ‘terrorist dogs.’ Concerns over injection shortages were voiced by veterans like Sitasaran Sharma and Shailendra Jain, pushing for reliable supplies.
Opposition Leader Umang Singhar escalated tensions, accusing the ruling BJP of prioritizing animal issues over human lives. He demanded debate on Indore’s Bhagirathpura, where polluted water claimed 35 souls. ‘Ready for dog talks, but silent on deadly water—priorities exposed,’ Singhar thundered.
The session blended serious policy critique with humor, yet exposed systemic gaps in urban management. From beefing up dog control to ensuring clean water, the assembly’s call for action resonates with millions facing these everyday threats. Resolution lies in swift implementation, not just rhetoric.