Mumbai Kabutarkhana Row: Jain Community Protestors Remove BMC Bamboo Structure At Dadar, Tension Grips Area

Tensions flared in Mumbai's Dadar locality on Wednesday morning after members of the Jain community gathered in large numbers to protest against the closure of the iconic Kabutarkhana (pigeon feeding area). For many protestors, it wasn't just about feeding pigeons. It was about preserving a long-standing religious and cultural tradition.

The protest, which quickly escalated, saw demonstrators forcibly removing the tarpaulin cover placed over the Kabutarkhana by the municipal authorities. The attempt to remove the bamboo structure covering the pigeon feeding site led to tensions in the area, prompting police deployment to maintain law and order.

Women and youth were also actively involved in the protest. The sudden protest led to a flurry of police activity, and authorities have reportedly begun detaining the agitators.

Mumbai has been witnessing several protests over the controversy surrounding pigeon feeding areas in the city for the last few months. Following a High Court order, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) took action against several pigeon feeding sites in the city. The closure of the Dadar Kabutarkhana and covering the area with tarpaulin sheets was a part of the city-wide action. Feeding the pigeons at the site was also prohibited.

The unrest follows a directive from the Maharashtra government on July 4, instructing the BMC to enforce a city-wide ban on feeding pigeons in public places. The move was based on health concerns, with authorities citing the potential risks posed by large congregations of birds and their droppings in densely populated areas.

In line with this order and a recent ruling by the Bombay High Court, the BMC last week sealed off the Dadar Kabutarkhana by covering it in plastic sheets and prohibiting pigeon feeding on the premises. The decision sparked strong opposition from locals and animal welfare activists, who claim that pigeon feeding is a long-standing cultural and charitable tradition, particularly among Jains.

Speaking on the matter, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue. He said that the abrupt closure of kabutarkhanas was not advisable. Fadnavis also directed civic authorities to consider establishing designated aviaries under municipal supervision, according to a PTI report.

Meanwhile, a writ petition regarding the status and management of kabutarkhanas is currently being heard in the Bombay High Court. With Mumbai home to 44 such sites, the outcome of the legal proceedings could have widespread implications for both public health policy and religious freedoms in the city.