The political atmosphere in Delhi has intensified over the issue of stray dogs, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leveling serious allegations against the city's government. Senior AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi Marlena has claimed that the Delhi government, led by the Lieutenant Governor, is using police complaints as a tool of intimidation against party workers.
Allegations of Intimidation and Political Vendetta
Atishi stated that the AAP's dedicated volunteers and workers are being specifically targeted for their role in implementing a government directive related to stray dogs. She alleged that First Information Reports (FIRs) are being filed against them as a form of threat and harassment. This action, according to the minister, stems from the workers' involvement in carrying out orders issued by the elected Delhi government.
The controversy revolves around a directive from the Delhi government's Women and Child Development Department. This order mandated the creation of designated areas within government colonies for residents to feed community dogs. The aim was to find a structured and humane solution to manage stray dog populations while addressing public concerns.
The Contentious Stray Dog Feeding Directive
The directive, which has now become a flashpoint, instructed officials to identify and allocate specific spots in government residential complexes. These spots were intended to be used by animal lovers and residents for feeding stray dogs. The logic was to prevent random feeding on streets, parks, or near playgrounds, which sometimes leads to conflicts, and instead create organized zones.
However, the implementation of this order has triggered a significant backlash. The AAP alleges that instead of engaging in administrative dialogue or seeking clarification, the Lieutenant Governor's administration has chosen a path of coercion against the ground-level workers executing the directive.
Atishi framed this as a direct attack on the elected government's authority. She argued that filing police cases against workers for performing their duties as per government orders undermines democratic norms and creates an atmosphere of fear. The party sees this as a continuation of the ongoing tussle between the elected AAP government and the central government-appointed Lieutenant Governor's office.
Broader Implications and Political Standoff
This incident is not an isolated one but fits into a pattern of prolonged disagreements over jurisdiction and governance in the national capital. The AAP has consistently accused the Lieutenant Governor's office of obstructing the work of the elected government. The stray dog issue has now been added to a long list of contentious subjects.
The party's stance is that its workers are being victimized for simply following official instructions. This, they claim, sets a dangerous precedent where government employees and volunteers can be penalized for adhering to lawful orders issued by their ministers. The situation raises questions about administrative coherence and the chain of command in Delhi's unique power-sharing structure.
As of now, the Delhi Police or the Lieutenant Governor's office has not issued an official public response to these specific allegations made by Minister Atishi. The development highlights how urban civic issues like stray animal management can quickly become politicized, leading to accusations of vendetta and misuse of power. The fallout from this order and the subsequent allegations may influence future policy implementation and the morale of political workers in the city.
