Mumbai: Tension flared up in Mumbai’s Dadar on Wednesday morning after a massive crowd of Jain protestors gathered at the kabutarkhana, expressing outrage over the ongoing crackdown by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on pigeon feeding spots. The protest turned chaotic as several demonstrators vandalised the plastic cover put up by civic officials and forcibly opened the feeding area.
Visuals Show Mob Vandalising BMC Cover On Kabutarkhana
Visuals from the scene showed hundreds of protestors, both men and women, storming the spot and tearing apart the cover that was placed to prevent feeding. A heavy police presence was deployed to control the crowd and de-escalate the situation. Despite efforts by officials, the kabutarkhana was thrown open around 10 am, just a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a partial relaxation in the ban on feeding pigeons.
On Tuesday, CM Fadnavis had stated that the abrupt closure of the kabutarkhanas was not advisable and directed the BMC to allow controlled feeding. His intervention came after pressure from the Jain community and multiple meetings with BJP leaders, including Mumbai’s guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha. The CM also instructed the civic body to explore alternative locations for pigeon feeding across the city.
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Salman Ansari FPJ
The agitation at Dadar was further fueled by reports that several pigeons had died of starvation after the area was sealed off using bamboo and tarpaulin. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani clarified that while feeding restrictions would continue as per court directives, the civic body would ensure water is available and work on alternative arrangements. He had also stated that the cover at the Dadar kabutarkhana would remain in place until further notice.
Prominent activists and MLAs, including Parag Shah from Ghatkopar, have voiced opposition to the blanket ban, stressing the need for compassionate solutions. Activists like Sneha Visaria questioned the scientific basis of claims linking pigeons to lung infections, pointing out the absence of concrete evidence.
Meanwhile, the BMC reported having taken action against 142 individuals for violating the pigeon-feeding ban, collecting fines amounting to Rs 68,700 between July 13 and August 3.
What Did CM Fadnavis Say?
CM Fadnavis, in his statement, said, “Saving the lives of pigeons, protecting the environment, and securing citizens’ health, all three are important.” He called for a scientific study on the health impacts of pigeon droppings and urged BMC to develop a formal policy for regulated feeding to strike a balance between public health and animal welfare.
