THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Maneka Gandhi’s stern warning to the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation against culling stray dogs has kicked up a row with the Kerala government raising objections.
“The government views it seriously. It is objectionable,” Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali said in the Assembly on Wednesday. Maneka had called up the corporation secretary a few days ago.
Ali said dog bite cases had increased despite a sterilisation programme. Government Chief Whip Thomas Unniyadan, who moved a call attention motion, also condemned Maneka’s phone call. According to him, 90,000 people had sought treatment for dog bites. “Even Mahatma Gandhi has written in Young India about the need for saving our people from stray dogs,” he said.