Mumbai: The Jain community leaders will write to BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to open the kabutar khanas in Mumbai and stop action against the pigeon feeders, after the Bombay High court said on Thursday that it had not ordered closure of the pegion feeding spots and it was BMC's decision. The ball is in the BMC Commissioner's court now to allow pigeon feeding in the city.
Jain Community to Write to BMC Commissioner Gagrani
Advocate Kamlesh Shah, member of the All India Animal Welfare Board said, "Our letter will reach to the commissioner's office tonight (Thursday night) or Friday morning. The HC has clarified the BMC had taken decision to stop pigeon feeding. It means, when BMC closed kabutar khanas, it can open them too."
"The formation of expert committee and their report submission will take its own time. Till then pigeon feeding is allowed," Shah added.
BMC Officials ‘Puzzled’ by HC Observation
However, the BMC administration is taken a back by the development in High court. A senior BMC officer said, "We ask, when did the BMC ordered closure of kabutar khanas? We started action towards the closure after the developments in the legislative council. The Dadar kabutar khana was covered after the HC order in the last hearing. We are puzzled."
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said, "What is to be done next will be done after I read the HC order in detail."
Political Pressure Mounts Ahead of BMC Elections
Ahead of the BMC elections, the political pressure is building up too. After the the Jain community leaders met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, the CM instructed BMC to allow pigeon feeding at designated spot.
The BMC was exploring alternative measures and a middle way to ensure the HC orders are followed and pigeons are also saved. It was also expected to seek time to explore alternative measures. However, the HC judgement on Thursday, changed the scenarios.
A BJP MLA and a strong voice in the party said that the BMC has no option but to start the kabutar khanas. "Enough if enough. Every minute pigeons are dying. The BMC is led by the BJP. If pigeon feeding is not started, the Jain and Gujrati community will ensure they vote against the BJP in the BMC elections," the MLA said, who did not wished to be named.
"Ahead of the elections, the party does not want to disappoint their vote bank. The Jain community across the country are strong supporters of BJP and the party will not want to loose that," he added.
BMC Collected ₹1.24 Lakh in Fines Over 250 Violations in a Month
The BMC had expedited its action against the pigeon feeders and closure of 51 kabutar khanas after the state government’s instructions last month, citing health hazards due to the pigeons’ droppings and feathers.
From July 3 to August 3, a penalty of Rs 1.24 lakh was imposed on a total of 250 violations across the city for feeding the pigeons. While Dadar’s kabutar khana was covered with tarpaulin last week and an FIR was also registered against pigeon feeding at the Mahim police station.
The stand-off between the authorities and pigeon feeders, turned violent on Wednesday, when the protestors tore tarpaulin cover from the Dadar's kabutar khana, which were placed by the BMC to stop the pegion feeding.
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The protestors also spilled the food grains inside the kabutar khana in an act to feed the pigeons, which they claim were starving out of thirst and hunger. However, no action was taken against the pigeon feeders.
