Mumbai: A shocking incident occurred near Thakur Mall in Mira Road’s DB Ozone building, located 25 kilometres away from Mumbai, on Sunday morning, where a 69-year-old resident, Mahendra Patel and his son Premal, were reportedly assaulted after he asked a neighbour not to feed pigeons. The elderly man reportedly saw Asha Vyas, a woman from a nearby building, feeding pigeons despite the court’s ban. He objected to her actions and requested her to stop, leading to a verbal altercation.
Argument Over Pigeon Feeding Led To Attack
Hearing the commotion, Patel’s son, Premal, came downstairs and confronted Vyas about the argument. At that point, Somesh Agnihotri, a resident from Vyas’s building, arrived with two others. In a violent outburst, Agnihotri allegedly attacked Premal Patel with an iron rod, while another person reportedly grabbed her neck, leaving both father and son shaken and traumatised.
According to an Indian Express report, Kashimira Police Station inspector Ranjit Andhale confirmed that no one was hospitalised in the incident as the injuries were not serious. However, the Kashimira police have registered an FIR against Somesh Agnihotri, Asha Vyas and two others under relevant sections of the IPC. Further investigation is underway.
BMC Crackdown On Mumbai's Kabutarkhanas
This disturbing episode comes against the backdrop of growing unrest in Mumbai over the civic body’s action against kabutarkhanas. Following the Bombay High Court’s orders, the BMC shut down the iconic Dadar kabutarkhana along with several others, citing health hazards and public nuisance caused by excessive pigeon feeding. The court has also imposed restrictions on feeding pigeons in public spaces.
Jain Community Stands Up Against Ban
However, the move has not gone down well with many animal rights activists and members of the Jain community, who have called the decision insensitive and demanded its immediate reversal. They argue that feeding pigeons is a religious and compassionate act and the blanket ban infringes upon their beliefs.
With legal action intensifying and now even turning violent in some areas, the issue of pigeon feeding in Mumbai is fast becoming a flashpoint between civic regulations, religious sentiments, and public safety.
