The issue of the Dadar Kabutarkhana closure in Maharashtra's capital Mumbai has gained attention once again. On Monday, Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay commenced an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. He demanded that BMC immediately reopen the Dadar Kabutarkhana, closed by the municipal corporation for health reasons.
The monk told reporters, “It's my constitutional right. Baba Saheb Ambedkar provided us with the democratic right to protest.”
He mentioned ceasing water intake and described the movement as “a peaceful one for the protection of life.”
BMC's Measure and Health Concerns
In July, BMC shut down 51 Kabutarkhanas in Mumbai, including the one in Dadar, citing respiratory diseases spread by pigeon droppings affecting nearby residents' lung health.
The Bombay High Court has taken cognizance, forming an expert committee comprising ICMR, AIIMS, and state health officials to study the pigeons' impact on public health.
Protest by Jain Community and Religious Sentiment
The Jain monk called the Dadar Kabutarkhana a “century-old religious heritage,” saying it's not merely a bird house but a symbol of peace and compassion.
He stated, “This Kabutarkhana is over a hundred years old. It’s a part of our religious tradition. Its closure is akin to a massacre.”
The monk claimed that over a hundred thousand pigeons have died since the Kabutarkhana's closure, and 50 to 60 injured or sick pigeons are being treated daily.
Alternative Sites and Opposition
BMC has allowed controlled feeding in four new locations - Worli Reservoir, Andheri Mangrove Area, Airoli-Mulund Checkpost, and Borivali Goregaon Ground - from 7 to 9 a.m.
However, Nileshchandra Vijay rejected this, saying, “These sites are 4 to 9 kilometers away from Dadar. Can pigeons really fly that far?”
Politics and Comparisons
The monk has questioned why Maratha reservation leader Manoj Jarange is allowed to protest at Azad Maidan, while he's prevented from doing so for bird conservation. He appealed to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to intervene and urged the entire Jain community to join the movement in Mumbai.
Divided Opinions in Society
Many local residents support BMC, asserting that pigeon droppings spread lung diseases, affecting children's health.
Conversely, the Jain community and animal welfare organizations believe that “animals should not be allowed to perish for human convenience.”
