In an unusual demonstration that has since gone viral on social media, the Leader of the Opposition in the Khandwa Municipal Corporation, Madhya Pradesh, Deepak (Mullu) Rathore, arrived at the district Collectorate on Tuesday accompanied by a man wearing a dog mask during the weekly public hearing, or Jan Sunwai.
The pair sought to highlight concerns over the rising number of stray dogs in the city and alleged irregularities in the civic body’s sterilisation programme. Security personnel initially prevented them from entering due to the costume, but they were allowed inside after intervention by opposition leaders and officials.
Rathore alleged that the municipal corporation had spent approximately Rs 40 lakh on dog sterilisation drives over the past four years. Despite this expenditure, he claimed, the stray dog population had continued to grow and 13,225 dog-bite cases had been recorded in Khandwa during the same period. He argued that the situation was causing fear among residents, especially children, women and the elderly, and questioned the effectiveness and transparency of the programme.
As part of the symbolic protest, Rathore presented the masked individual as a dog that had supposedly undergone sterilisation yet later fathered multiple puppies. He used the example to raise doubts about whether the procedures had been properly carried out. The complaint submitted to Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Kashiram Badole sought a detailed investigation into the tender allotment process, the eligibility of the agency engaged for the work, payment records, and physical verification of sterilised dogs on the ground.
The man in the dog mask also spoke during the hearing, stating that dogs were being unfairly blamed while funds allocated for sterilisation were allegedly not resulting in the intended outcomes. He demanded justice and action against those responsible for any misuse of funds.
Additional Collector Kashiram Badole later confirmed that complaints alleging misappropriation of sterilisation funds had been received. He said the civic commissioner had been informed and that a committee would be formed to examine the matter and establish the facts. Appropriate action would be taken if irregularities were found, he added.
Videos and photographs of the protest at the Collectorate circulated widely online, drawing attention to the longstanding issue of stray dog management in the city. Officials have indicated that the allegations will be probed in accordance with rules.
