Tags:
Journalism of Courage
What is it with Bangalore8217;s politicians? A city whose substantive and symbolic contribution to remaking India is so great is host to a political culture that often seems to draw inspiration from primitive illogic. The latest and grotesque example is the politically inspired mob frenzy about killing the city8217;s stray dogs. A minister issued a public call for a 8216;final solution8217; after an incident of a child dying from dog bites. Who argues that the death of a child is not a terrible tragedy? But who argues that blood for blood revenge is effective civic policy? Irresponsible, ill-informed rulers. Politicians who don8217;t know their city or the experience of other cities in India or basic science.
Those championing the appallingly misdirected, disorganised and cruel pogrom against Bangalore8217;s strays should know the city authorities had tried killing as a population control solution for six decades 8212; electrocution was the preferred method 8212; and failed. A court direction a few years back on adopting sterlisation/vaccination as the policy 8212;many Indian cities, including metros Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata follow this 8212; brought sense and science back to Bangalore8217;s response to strays. The effects were starting to be visible 8212; WHO studies say that once 70 per cent of a city8217;s strays is sterilized, the population stabilises 8212; and would have had a greater impact had Bangalore8217;s frenetic growth been better managed municipally. Garbage disposal is a huge problem. The tragic incident that sparked the mob frenzy happened at the garbage dump that owes its existence to unregulated meat shops.
