State Agriculture Minister and Nagpur’s District Guardian Minister Balasaheb Thorat on Saturday created a flutter by entering the cage of tiger cubs in city’s Maharajbagh Zoo and handling them in full view of the media.

The minister merrily posed for photographs, but raised the hackles of wildlife activists. “The rules allow only the curator to handle the animals. How did the minister do it and for what? What was he trying to do?” asked a senior wildlife activist on condition of anonymity. “The minister is not privileged to do what he has done,” said a senior Forest Department official. “He should lead by example. What would the common man, who is supposed to watch from beyond the railings, think?” he asked.

However, curator S S Bawaskar told The Indian Express: “There is no violation involved. The curator has the power to decide who can enter the cage.” Thorat couldn’t be reached for comment. The zoo is controlled by Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth.