Tigress Avni Killing: Rahul Gandhi Protests, Maneka Gandhi Hits Out At Maharashtra Government

Mumbai, November 5: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday tweeted about the death of tigress Avni and targeted the Maharashtra government for killing the feline. The tigress, believed to be responsible for the deaths of 13 people in Maharashtra, was shot dead in Yavatmal district on November 3. Union Minister Maneka Gandhi called it a straight case of crime and pledged to take up the case 'Legally, criminally as well as politically'.

The killing of Avni, also known as T1, has caused outrage and raised a debate over India's tiger conservation efforts. "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated," tweeted Gandhi, quoting Mahatma Gandhi. Man-eater Tigress Avni, Alleged For 14 Deaths, Killed In Maharashtra's Yavatmal.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, criticising her Bharatiya Janata Party government in Maharashtra, said that she was "deeply saddened by the way tigress Avni has been brutally murdered in Yavatmal."

She called it a 'ghastly murder' and a straight case of crime. While criticising the government, she said, "Fail to understand why a state government should even bother about such a man let alone hire his services for illegal and inhuman acts. I am definitely going to take up this case of utter lack of empathy for animals as a test case. Legally, criminally as well as politically."

It is reported that Avni was shot dead by sharpshooter Asgar Ali, son of Nawab Shafat Ali, who is also a famous sharp-shooter. According to reports, wildlife authorities had tried to catch her alive but couldn't because the forest was dense and it became impossible to catch her alive in darkness.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 05, 2018 04:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).