New Delhi: Terming stray dog menace as a major issue, Delhi minister Ashish Sood has said that politicising the issue is not right and emphasised that a balanced approach has to be maintained.
In an interview to ThePrint, Sood hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments over the Supreme Court’s order on removal of stray dogs.
“See, stray dogs are a big problem in Delhi. But at the same time, we animal lovers also have a close relationship with these stray dogs. Certainly, the government will have to accept the decision of the Supreme Court,” Sood said.
Sood said the decision will be examined and it will be implemented in a legal manner.
“A policy decision will be taken and a policy will be formed. Dog lovers should pursue their love and common citizens should be able to exercise their right to life comfortably.
“A balance has to be made between these two. There is also a legal aspect in it. The balance that will be made in all these things can also be called a policy. You can also call it living together in the city but certainly the government is looking at it seriously and will find a solution,” he added.
When asked how several leaders, including those from the opposition, have pointed out that dog shelters cannot be constructed overnight and that the municipal corporations require major funds, Sood said politicising the issue at this juncture is not right.
“Naturally, this cannot be done (building shelters overnight). If the Supreme Court has said something, then experts will evaluate it. What to do and what not to do will be shaped up in the coming days. This has become the nature of some leaders and some ideologies. To see politics in everything and to create what are called hindrances in everything.. They say it will not happen, it will not happen,” he said.
Sood termed it a civic issue and said that while dog lovers have a right but the people who are being attacked also have a right to live. “Both have to go simultaneously. So it has to be that these are two parallel lines which have to run together. We have to understand this. And by making such comments you only make things worse. You are not making any positive contribution in that, helping the government or the public,” he added.
Regarding the recently passed Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, to curb the increasing commercialisation of school education, Sood accused the erstwhile AAP government of conniving with some private schools and allowing them to increase fees arbitrarily.
“’For years, private schools hiked fees unchecked, our new law regulates schools, stops profiteering and focuses on strengthening government schools.”
In a blistering attack on AAP’s ‘education model’, Sood said, “swimming pools in schools aren’t education revolution, Delhi had them in 1980 too. There is a need to improve learning outcomes and focus on improving and creating infrastructure”.
“AAP was a government of corrupt people. It is a party of thieves. Why don’t they talk about the fees of the remaining 1,400 schools? Because their own people operate such schools. Their MLAs have schools. Their councillors have schools in unauthorised colonies. Though running school is not the issue, anyone can run it, but increasing fees in an arbitrary manner is bad,” the Delhi education minister alleged.
However, Sood said the real good of the people lies in a law which regulates the fees in a systematic manner.
“Fees will increase..but in a regulated way. We had the courage to face all the elements who operate as ‘fee-mafia’. Those who used to give money under the table to the Aam Aadmi Party, who used it to fund their elections, we have shown this courage by standing in front of such elements,” he claimed.
Sood further alleged that during the AAP government’s tenure, few schools used to get permission to increase fees multiple times.
“Tell me how it happened in a school where you have surplus funds and you get the opportunity to increase fees. Your account shows surplus. Then you get the opportunity to increase fees. They used to take money. There was collusion. They used to take money under the table. They used to take money to contest elections,” he alleged.
Sood also questioned the delay over implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) and questioned why the AAP government did not do so during their tenure. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommended setting six years as the minimum age for admission to Class 1. As a result, all schools will now be required to add an additional year to the foundational stage.
“NEP 2020 is a national policy. Delhi is the national capital, refusing to implement it over politics is pathetic,” Sood said, pointing out that circulars were issued to ensure Class 1 admission at the age of 6 from next year.
The Delhi government, he said, would implement every vertical of the NEP.
“We have sent a circular to schools. See, one year will be added before the child comes to first class. The parents who are studying now have made provision for their finances, the school has made their rooms, teachers, their curriculum accordingly. We have issued a circular. It has been done now. Those who have the means can do it. Otherwise, from next year, admissions will be done accordingly,” he said.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: How SC’s order on stray dogs got two Gandhi families speaking in a single voice
