New Delhi was thrust into shock and mourning after the tragic death of Deputy Mayor Surinder Singh Bajwa, who succumbed to severe injuries sustained during a startling and violent encounter with a troop of rhesus macaques at his home.
Bajwa, a respected political figure and long-serving member of the municipal government, was on the first-floor terrace of his New Delhi residence when a large group of monkeys descended upon him. According to neighbours, the deputy mayor attempted to scare the animals away—a common response in a city where thousands of macaques roam freely—but chaos erupted as the aggressive troop surged toward him. Amid the struggle, Bajwa lost his balance and fell from the terrace.
He was rushed to Apollo Hospital in critical condition with grave head injuries. Despite medical intervention, he passed away the following day, plunging the city into grief and renewing focus on the long-standing monkey menace that has plagued the capital for decades.
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The presence of rhesus macaques in New Delhi is not a new phenomenon. They infiltrate homes, raid markets, snatch food from bystanders, and occupy temples and rooftops in large bands. Their growing population has made coexistence increasingly dangerous for residents. Bajwa’s death in 2007 sparked intense public pressure on city authorities to take decisive action.
Government minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan paid tribute to the late deputy mayor, describing him as “one of the most honest, sincere and dedicated workers of the party,” adding that his untimely death was “an irreparable loss to Delhi.”
Residents living near Bajwa’s home said the threat of monkey attacks had become part of daily life. “Bands of monkeys routinely lay siege to our house,” said Perminder Kaur, who lives in a nearby neighbourhood. “We are forced to keep our doors locked and remain vigilant at all times.”
Complicating matters further, Bajwa’s residence was situated close to a temple dedicated to Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god. The site attracts hundreds of rhesus macaques daily, lured by offerings left by devotees and tourists. The steady supply of food has contributed to the animals’ growing numbers and bold behaviour.
Before the tragic incident, Delhi authorities had experimented with various control methods—including hiring a trained langur named Rambo to chase away marauding troops. Rambo successfully patrolled several government buildings for months before ultimately being overwhelmed by macaque groups that learned to band together and oust him.
Following the deputy mayor’s death, the urgency to address the crisis intensified. Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra revealed that municipal teams had stepped up capture operations. “Since May this year, we have managed to capture 1,250 monkeys, over 450 of them in the last 20 days,” she noted. Plans were also underway to recruit more skilled monkey-catchers from states like Tamil Nadu and Assam, which have proven effective in past operations.
The tragedy of Surinder Singh Bajwa remains one of the most shocking examples of human–wildlife conflict in India’s capital, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and humane measures to address the city’s persistent macaque problem.
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