As the slogans of ‘Avni’s kids, nation’s kids’ and ‘Mungantiwar down down’ filled the air, Shivaji Park witnessed people from various sections of society coming together to demand justice for tigress Avni and her cubs.
Dressed in white and waving black flags, the protesters demanded the safety of Avni’s 10-month-old cubs along with a detailed inquiry, and Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar’s resignation.
The petitioner for Avni’s rights, Dr. Sarita Subramanian of Earth Brigade Foundation, said the primary concern is the safety of the cubs. “We demand the cubs be located and provided a safe habitat. We don’t have any hope from the State government or the forest department; forest departments from other States have to come together and look for them,” she said.
Actor Rupali Ganguly said, “We want an unbiased panel investigating the matter; the government has already done questionable things. We don’t want the panel to be formed by the government now. There should be experts, preferably from outside the State to conduct a fair probe.”
‘Protect forests’
Animal enthusiasts believe the government is allowing industrialists to encroach upon the natural habitats of animals. Natasha Goradia (30), a freelance artist, said, “Avni has opened our eyes. It’s time to protect our forests from industrialists who think they can bribe their way into anything. They want to replace every natural surrounding with a concrete jungle and the government is allowing them to do so for personal gains.”
“All these rich people in position of power think they can get away with anything. It is possible the 13 people that they are claiming were killed by Avni, is actually a farce by these businessmen and the government is helping them cover it up,” Lalita Katgara (45), a homemaker, said.
Apart from filmmakers, actors, animal activists and enthusiasts, people from political fraternity took part in the protest. Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam said Mr. Mungantiwar should be sacked and an inquiry against him must be set up. “Since Mr. Mungantiwar resumed office, a large number of tigers have died; the number is the second largest after Madhya Pradesh. Why has he denied installing surveillance systems in every tiger reserve in spite of the National Tiger Conservative Authority’s rule?” he asked.
Politician Priya Dutt said, “the incident is shocking. The brutal killing of a voiceless animal is inhumane and the people responsible for this should be brought to justice.”
General secretary regional Congress committee, Nitin Bhaurao Patil said, “Mr. Mungantiwar should resign immediately and a judicial probe of the whole incident is necessary. There are lot of theories and doubts surrounding the incident, which is why an impartial judicial probe is demanded.”
The protesters said that they will not stop fighting till Avni gets justice and her cubs are safe. “We will gather in even bigger numbers if the demands are not met and the cubs are not safely rehabilitated,” said Ms. Subramanian.
