Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s abrupt departure from his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Varanasi to visit the families of victims of recent wild elephant attacks in Kerala’s Wayanad has drawn criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gandhi’s visit comes amidst heightened tensions following the tragic death of forest department personnel and residents due to encounters with wild elephants.
Union Minister and BJP leader V Muraleedharan took aim at Gandhi, labeling him as a mere tourist in his own constituency, Wayanad, which has been grappling with the issue of man-animal conflicts for over a week. Muraleedharan asserted that the lack of timely medical assistance led to the death of forest watcher VP Paul, pointing out the absence of a medical college in Wayanad to cater to such emergencies.
Rahul Gandhi, who suspended his political journey in Varanasi following public outcry over the recent casualties caused by wild elephant attacks, made a visit to the residence of Aji (42), one of the victims killed by a radio-collared elephant in the Mananthavady area of Wayanad district. Subsequently, Gandhi also paid respects to the family of Paul, an eco-tourism guide of the forest department, who fell victim to a wild tusker near Kuruva island.
In response to the escalating crisis, a district-wide hartal was observed in Wayanad, with demands for long-term solutions to mitigate man-animal conflicts. The hartal, supported by the ruling LDF, opposition UDF, and BJP, saw widespread closures of shops and business establishments, alongside a halt in vehicular movement across the district.
However, the hartal took a violent turn in Pulpally, with protesters damaging a forest department vehicle and symbolically tying a cow, which was previously killed in a suspected tiger attack, atop the damaged vehicle.
Gandhi’s visit and the subsequent political fallout underscore the urgency for addressing the longstanding issue of man-animal conflicts in Wayanad and the need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of both wildlife and local residents.
Sources By Agencies
