Mumbai : Tensions flared at the historic Dadar Kabutarkhana as members of the Jain community staged a protest against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for restricting pigeon feeding at the site. The civic body had recently covered the area with plastic and bamboo barricades, following a Bombay High Court directive aimed at preventing the spread of diseases linked to bird droppings.
The protest erupted when some community members tried to remove the barricades to continue feeding the pigeons, considering it a religious duty. Police were deployed at the site to manage the situation and prevent any further escalation.
BMC officials said the restrictions are in place to safeguard public health, citing expert warnings about respiratory issues caused by constant exposure to bird droppings. In recent weeks, the BMC has fined over 140 people across various kabutarkhanas in Mumbai, including dozens at Dadar alone.
The action has drawn criticism from several religious groups and political leaders. In response, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the BMC to explore the possibility of designating specific zones for controlled bird feeding. The issue is expected to be reviewed in a Bombay High Court hearing on August 7.
Meanwhile, Jain leaders have warned of intensified protests, including a hunger strike on August 10, if the community’s religious rights are not respected.
