Mumbai: Avni protesters demand Maharashtra forest minister Mungantiwar's sacking

MUMBAI: The 'Avni movement' seeking justice for the killing of the tigress T1 (Avni) is growing stronger as hundreds of activists and animal lovers held a rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai's Dadar on Sunday evening. The protesters demanded the sacking of Maharashtra forest minister S Mungantiwar for failing to stop the killing of Avni within the core forest region in Yavatmal.


Several colourful placards and banners were displayed at the venue, as angry slogans like 'Mungantiwar resign! ' and 'Avni ke bachche, desh ke bachche (Avni's cubs are the children of the nation) ' were raised.

"This is the beginning of a people's revolution who want stronger animal protection laws, and justice for the illegal killing of Avni. It's been over a week since the murder of the tigress, but we still do not know the fate of her cubs in the forest," said activist Anand Siva.


Mitul Pradeep, daughter of the iconic national poet, Pradeep, displayed two of her artworks regarding Avni's killing at the rally. "Like everyone else, i too am concerned about the cubs of Avni. In my two paintings I have depicted that may godess Durga protect the cubs and all other wildlife, since our state has failed to do so as seen in this case," said Mitul Pradeep.

Among the participants at the rally were also pro-vegan diet supporters who said that killing animals for human consumption is also spoiling the environment as vast green areas are cleared for farm animal rearing. This also leads to global warming.