Bhopal erupted in heated discussions on Tuesday during the second day of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly’s budget session. The rising terror of stray dogs in the state capital took center stage, spotlighting a growing public safety crisis.
Congress MLA Aatif Akil, a first-time legislator from Bhopal Uttar, raised the issue through an attention motion. He painted a grim picture of the surging stray dog population and frequent biting incidents plaguing the city. Despite the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) spending over Rs 2 crore on sterilization and vaccination drives, Akil alleged that the problem persists unabated.
‘Daily, we see 40 to 50 cases of stray dog bites, mostly affecting children and the elderly,’ Akil told the house. He criticized the BMC’s efforts, noting that captured dogs undergo procedures but the streets remain overrun. ‘This is no longer just fear or inconvenience—it’s a full-blown public health emergency and administrative failure,’ he asserted.
Responding sharply, Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, a senior BJP leader, defended the government’s actions. He revealed that a dedicated dog squad operates in Bhopal, responding swiftly to complaints. In the current fiscal year, 26,900 dogs have been vaccinated, with 5,023 anti-rabies doses available. Vijayvargiya categorically denied any fatalities from dog bites in the city.
Drawing from cultural traditions, the minister added, ‘Dogs turn aggressive when hungry. Our ethos dictates feeding the first roti to cows, the last to dogs, and flour for ants.’ His remarks lightened the mood amid light-hearted exchanges between Congress and BJP members.
Congress MLA Bhawar Singh Shekhawat took a jab, accusing Vijayvargiya of neglecting the issue despite his position. BJP’s Uma Kant Sharma quipped, ‘First time hearing dogs called terrorists.’ Former Assembly Speaker Sitasaran Sharma and BJP MLA Shailendra Kumar Jain joined in, demanding better availability of anti-rabies injections.
The debate took a broader turn when Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar slammed the BJP government. He contrasted the willingness to discuss dogs with reluctance on contaminated water deaths in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, where at least 35 lives were lost. ‘They’ll debate strays but dodge the graver water pollution crisis,’ Singhar charged, questioning the administration’s priorities.
As the session unfolded, the exchange underscored deeper governance challenges, from urban animal control to public health infrastructure. Lawmakers urged immediate, coordinated action to safeguard citizens, signaling that stray dog woes and water quality issues demand urgent resolution beyond partisan lines.