Mumbai News: 'Marathi Ekikaran Samiti' Call For Massive Protest At Dadar Kabutar Khana On August 13

Mumbai: The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti has given a call for a massive protest at Dadar kabutar khana on Wednesday, August 13, demanding the authorities to continue the implementation of the ban on pigeon feeding and closure of kabutarkhanas. This comes a week after the members of the Jain community protested at the same spot against the closure of kabutar khanas and fed the pigeons by tearing off the cover, thereby violating the court orders.

“We will not tolerate religious extremism. On the garb of humanity, the pigeon feeders are engaging in lawlessness and anti-government stand. The court has passed its orders, and the BMC is implementing them. The pigeon feeders defied the court directions, engaged in unlawful activity at Dadar kabutar khana. We will come together in hundreds and thousands at the same location against the people disrespecting the law and risking public health,” said Pramod Parte from Marathi Ekikaran Samiti.

Parte said that the leaders of Maharashtra Navnirmal Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena -UBT are also expected to join the protest on Wednesday. MNS Mumbai President Sandeep Deshpande said that his party is expected to join the protest. Notably, it was MNS’ environment wing that started the fight to close the kabutar khana earlier this year.

The protest call given by the samiti mentions that the protest is to protect the health of local citizens and to uphold the rule of law. They also demand actions like registration of FIR against the pigeon feeders, who on August 6 tore off the tarpaulin at Dadar kabuta khana and fed the pigeons.

Meanwhile, after the Bombay High Court last week said that it had not ordered the closure of kabutar khanas and it was BMC’s decision considering public health, the Jain community advocates have written to BMC to reopen the pigeon feeding spots. As of Monday, the kabutar khanas remain closed. The BJP MLAs are also putting pressure on the BMC to open the kabutar khanas.

Civic activist from Dadar, Chetan Kamble said, “Last week, a section of the Jain community protested to reopen the Kabutar Khana. Now, on 13th August, the Marathi community is taking to the streets to demand it be shut down. What should have been a straightforward matter of enforcing court orders and protecting public health has been turned into a community-versus-community drama. This is not about Jains or Marathis — it’s about whether the law applies equally to all. While citizens are divided, those defying orders continue to operate with impunity. Mumbai doesn’t need communal blame games — it needs united action for cleaner, safer public spaces.”

Third FIR registered against pigeon feeding

An FIR was registered in Girgaon against an unknown person for feeding the pigeons on Monday. The action was taken after a video circulated showing a person spreading food grains at Girgaon Chowpatty. This is the third such FIR registered in the last eight days. Last week, an FIR was registered against an unknown person at the Mahim police station for feeding the pigeons and one at Shivaji Park police station against a Lalbaug resident named Mahendra Sanclecha (55), who came with a food grain tray attached to his car’s roof in an act to feed the pigeons at Dadar kabutar khana.