Indian govt hires men in monkey suits to scare away real monkeys around parliament

According to Indian media, the issue has arisen from a pest situation presented by stray dogs and rhesus macaque monkeys in and around Parliament House in New Delhi, which has prompted the government to take hold of the situation.

These 40 men are summoned by the New Delhi Municipal Council to spots, including the Parliament House, that come under the siege of monkeys. The ‘langurs’ suddenly appear from behind bushes and trees to drive away the simians through sounds and gestures.

On Thursday, urban development minister M Venkiah Naidu acknowledged through a written reply in Rajya Sabha that men have been posing as langurs to keep the monkey menace in check.

Reports say that the men were paid Rs 700-800 per ‘visit’ and had not been hired permanently. They get work for around 10-15 days a month, earning anywhere between Rs 7000 to 10,000.