A New Delhi politician died after a violent encounter with a troop of monkeys at his home, a case that has once again highlighted the city’s growing human–wildlife conflict.
Surinder Singh Bajwa, who was serving as Delhi’s Deputy Mayor at the time, was on the first-floor terrace of his home when a group of rhesus macaques forced their way onto the balcony. According to neighbours, Bajwa attempted to chase the animals away but slipped amid the commotion and fell from the terrace.
He was rushed to Apollo Hospital in critical condition with severe head injuries and passed away the following day.
Delhi has long struggled with an increasing population of rhesus macaques that frequently enter homes, offices, temples and rooftops. Residents in many neighbourhoods report constant tension as the animals grow more aggressive and bold.
Bajwa’s death in 2007 intensified public pressure on authorities to strengthen wildlife management efforts. Proposals included relocation programmes, expanded capture teams and new strategies to reduce the animals’ presence in densely populated areas.
Then–Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan described Bajwa as “honest, sincere and dedicated,” calling his death an “irreparable loss to Delhi.”
Local residents said the threat had been escalating for years. “Bands of monkeys routinely lay siege to our house, forcing us to stay alert at all times,” said Perminder Kaur, a neighbour who spoke to The Irish Times.
Bajwa lived near a temple dedicated to Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, a popular site for visitors who frequently feed the macaques. Wildlife experts say this steady food supply has played a major role in encouraging the animals’ aggressive behaviour and population boom.
Authorities had tried multiple measures to manage the macaque population even before the incident. At one point, a trained langur named Rambo was deployed to protect government buildings by scaring off monkey troops, though he was eventually overwhelmed by their numbers.
Following Bajwa’s death, the city intensified its response. Former Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra said the municipality captured more than 1,200 monkeys within months, with over 450 caught in a single 20-day period. She added that the number of monkey-catching teams would be increased from two to twelve in order to meet demand.
Nearly two decades later, Bajwa’s death remains one of the most striking reminders of the dangers created by Delhi’s unchecked macaque population. Authorities continue to search for long-term solutions that protect residents while balancing animal welfare and the broader challenges of urban wildlife coexistence.