A deputy mayor in New Delhi, India, tragically lost his life when he was attacked by a group of monkeys at his residence. Surinder Singh Bajwa was standing on the terrace of his home when a troop of rhesus macaques invaded the area. Despite his efforts to scare them away, he fell from the balcony during the commotion. Bajwa sustained severe head injuries in the fall and was rushed to Apollo Hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The incident shed light on the persistent issue of rhesus macaques in Delhi, where these monkeys frequently intrude on residences, temples, and rooftops, posing a constant threat to residents. Following Bajwa’s tragic death in 2007, there were increased calls for action to address the monkey problem. Suggestions ranged from relocation programs to stricter wildlife control measures, urging city planners to find a permanent solution to the issue.
Government minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan paid tribute to Bajwa, highlighting his dedication and selfless service to the party, society, and the nation, particularly in aiding the underprivileged. The deputy mayor’s neighbor, Perminder Kaur, described the ongoing ordeal with monkeys besieging their homes, leading to constant vigilance and locked doors.
Bajwa’s residence was situated near a temple dedicated to Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, where hundreds of rhesus macaques congregated daily to be fed by tourists and devotees. Prior to his demise, local authorities employed a formidable monkey named Rambo to protect health and urban development ministries from monkey intrusions. However, Rambo faced opposition from various monkey groups and was eventually overwhelmed by their collective attacks.
In the aftermath of Bajwa’s death, Delhi’s courts grappled with managing the increasing macaque population, with differing opinions on humane capture methods versus stricter enforcement. Mayor Arti Mehra announced the capture of over 1,250 monkeys since May, with plans to expand the monkey-catching teams and increase capture rates, including enlisting assistance from other states experienced in monkey control.
