Ayodhya: A drama unfolds at the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk in Ayodhya as a man armed with a large green net chases a stray dog. The dog, sensing danger, lets out a series of loud barks and tries to dodge the net. Behind the man, a white Maruti van with “Nagar Nigam Ayodhya” written on it waits to whisk away the canine captive.
A curious crowd gathers to witness the spectacle. Some of them plead with the man to spare the dog, while others offer suggestions on how to catch it more effectively.
“We have been asked by the Nagar Nigam authorities to round up stray animals. We have to follow the orders,” said another man making videos of the round-up and sending them to the authorities.
The reason for this crackdown on stray dogs and cows is the upcoming pran pratishtha at the Ram temple Monday. A team from the municipal corporation has been tasked with rounding up stray cows and dogs in an official white van and relocating them to the civic body’s shelter house, located 20 km away from the city.
When asked why the stray animals were rounded up, Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal said it was a mandate and the animals were under proper care at shelters of the Nagar Nigam.
“We already have a programme in place where stray cattle have been taken care of. Similarly, for stray dogs, we also have a new facility, a modern facility developed by the municipal corporation. The dogs have been taken there. That is the mandate,” he told ThePrint.
“We will be having guests from different cities and different parts of the world. So, the city should be in a position to welcome them and they should carry back pleasant memories. And we don’t want any adverse things for them to experience,” Dayal added.
Sources within the administration said that they have a mandate to clear the roads of any stray animals to make the town pleasant for the dignitaries and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The stray dogs and cows have been removed from the four cardinal paths — Ram Path, Bhakti Path, Ram Janmabhoomi Path and Dharma path — from where the Prime Minister, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries will reach Ayodhya Monday.
“The cows were eating up flowers for decoration. They sit in the middle of the road. The cows have been sent to gaushalas. For the Prime Minister and other VVIPs, such a spectacle would not be pleasant on the day of such a big event,” said a source within the Ayodhya administration.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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