'Modi ko lao, desh bachao': Nandurbar-based senior citizen, his dog detained for campaigning on polling day

A Nandurbar-based senior citizen, Eknath Motiram Chaudhary (65), who went around with his Indian Pariah dog with posters supporting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been detained — along with his pet — by the cops. They believe that he was paid for canvassing.

However, in this bizarre scenario, the dog seems to have suffered the most after he was handed over to the municipal corporation.

On April 29, Chaudhary put up posters on his dog that read, ‘Modi ko lao, desh bachao’. Another sticker on his head read, “chowkidaar”. He went around the polling booth with the mascot. According to DSP Nandurbar, Sandip Patil, Chaudhary was arrested from one of the booths — under section 171 (A) of Indian Penal Code for violating the code of conduct — and so was the pet.

Investigating officer, constable Arun Saindane, said he was spotted near Aundhare Hospital, where the dog has become the centre of attention. “Canvassing on the polling day is a serious offence. When he was questioned, he told us that he has been abandoned by his kids, after his two wives passed away. At one point, we felt he was mentally disturbed and did not know what he was doing. However, he is not innocent,” he added.

Cops said that Chaudhary refused to part with his dog. However, civic officials took him away. One of them, on the condition of anonymity, said, “The dog remained on the corporation premises without food or water for six to seven hours. The officials tried to shift the dog to a shelter, but they failed. The dog was tied till late in the evening.”

The Nandurbar police are still investigating the case. API Kiran of Nandurbar police said, “After several hours of questioning, Chaudhary was out on bail, while his dog was still detained. We have not given him a clean chit yet. Even though he claims to be disturbed, we suspect he might have been either paid to use the dog as a campaign tool by someone.”

Chaudhary was reunited with his pet after ten hours. His neighbours stated that after the incident, the man and his dog, have been confined to home for two days.