Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has strongly objected to Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha’s appeal to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seeking relief for the religious practice of pigeon feeding. Lodha, who also serves as the guardian minister of the Mumbai suburban district, had written to BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, requesting the identification of designated open spaces as temporary zones for supervised pigeon feeding.
“Emotions Can’t Override Health,” Says MNS
Reacting sharply to the proposal, MNS leaders maintained that rational decision-making must take precedence over sentimentality. MNS Mumbai city president Sandeep Deshpande stated, “Everything cannot be viewed from an emotional lens. Decisions impacting lakhs of Mumbaikars should be made with rationality and scientific backing, especially when public health is at stake.”
BMC Action Backed by High Court
The civic body, acting on a Bombay High Court directive, covered the well-known Dadar kabutarkhana with tarpaulin sheets on Sunday to discourage congregational pigeon feeding, calling it a health hazard. The High Court had termed such feeding practices a public nuisance and directed the BMC to take strict action, including filing FIRs against violators. While heritage kabutarkhanas were allowed to remain, feeding was barred at these locations.
MNS welcomed the BMC’s enforcement move and urged the administration not to bow to political pressure.
Lodha Flags Dead Pigeons, Proposes Committee
Despite the High Court’s order, Lodha proposed forming a committee of experts under court supervision to find long-term solutions. His suggestions for supervised feeding zones included areas like BKC, Racecourse, Aarey Colony, and Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
In his letter, Lodha claimed that pigeons were starving and being found dead on roads, causing disruptions to public transport. “If not addressed thoughtfully, this matter may have wider implications across the country,” he wrote.
MNS: Focus Should Be on Population Control
The MNS dismissed Lodha’s concerns, reiterating that the core issue was the health risk posed by pigeon droppings. The party said the priority should be to reduce pigeon populations in urban areas, not enable their congregation. It also asserted that the real nationwide implication lies in the unchecked spread of respiratory illnesses due to such practices.
Last month, Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant informed the Maharashtra legislative council that kabutarkhanas would be shut following MLC Manisha Kayande’s concerns about health issues linked to pigeon droppings and feathers.
The MNS has called on the BMC to continue strict enforcement of the High Court’s directives and ensure that Mumbai’s public spaces remain clean, safe, and disease-free.
(With inputs from PTI)
