Nagpur: The ongoing Winter Session in Nagpur witnessed an unusual and eye-catching moment on Wednesday when MLA Sharad Sonawane arrived at the Vidhan Bhavan premises dressed as a leopard. His dramatic appearance was a symbolic protest meant to draw the government’s attention to the rising leopard attacks across the State.
Sonawane, who represents the leopard-hit Junnar region, said the situation back home has turned “alarming” as the big cat continues to stray into human settlements. In the last few years alone, 55 villagers have lost their lives, leaving the entire taluka gripped by fear. Despite repeated appeals, locals claim that effective measures are yet to be implemented.
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His protest came on a day when Nagpur too woke up to panic. In the early hours, a leopard was spotted in the city’s Pardi area, triggering chaos among residents. After several hours of effort, the Forest Department managed to tranquilise and capture the animal.
Sonawane’s unusual demonstration has already set the tone for heated discussions inside the House. Legislators cutting across party lines are expected to push the Forest Department and the government for a stronger, more coordinated plan to tackle the growing man–animal conflict.
With a ‘leopard’ making its way into the Assembly precincts, the issue has roared its way to the top of the Session’s agenda.
