Sonawane entered the Assembly premises in Nagpur clad in the animal suit, immediately becoming the focus of cameras, lawmakers, and onlookers. His symbolic protest, he said, was meant to force the government to recognize the growing threat posed by leopards straying into villages and residential pockets. Numerous districts have reported escalating incidents of attacks, leaving communities in fear and demanding urgent intervention.
Speaking to reporters, Sonawane stressed that the situation had reached a critical point. He urged the state administration to launch swift and effective measures to protect vulnerable rural populations, particularly children who have been the most affected. According to him, the leopard crisis reflects a broader ecological strain that requires coordinated action from wildlife authorities, forest officials, and policymakers.
While his costume-driven protest was visually dramatic, Sonawane maintained that its purpose was entirely serious — to convey the gravity of a problem that many villagers face daily. His appearance underscored a lack of adequate surveillance, mitigation strategies, and rescue mechanisms in regions where leopard sightings and attacks have become increasingly common.
The legislator’s demonstration has now sparked intense public conversation about Maharashtra’s preparedness to deal with human–animal conflict. As debates unfold inside and outside the Assembly, the episode has served as a vivid reminder that the crisis demands urgent government attention before more lives are put at risk.
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