Two petitioners in pigeon-feeding case float Jan Kalyan Party ahead of Mumbai civic polls

The party was launched under the spiritual guidance of Jain Muni Nilesh Chandra. PIC VIA EESHANPRIYA MS

In a development ahead of BMC Elections 2025, two of the four petitioners who had moved the Bombay High Court against the civic body's ban on feeding pigeons at 51 Kabutarkhanas have now floated a political outfit, the Jan Kalyan Party (JKP), under the spiritual guidance of Jain Muni Nilesh Chandra.

The party's national president, Hardik Hundiya, said JKP aims to promote "good governance rooted in compassion" beginning from Mumbai and expanding nationwide. "With the spirit of Mumbai Kar Hit Kar, our focus is on governance that cares for both people and all living beings," Hundiya said.

He expressed gratitude to his spiritual mentors and paid tribute to national icons such as Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking to mid-day.com, Sneha Visaria, one of the petitioners and a founding member of JKP, said, "Allowing feeding of pigeons in public is definitely part of our agenda. But beyond that, our focus is on Jan Kalyan and Jeev Kalyan, the welfare of both humans and animals. Someone who shows compassion towards mute beings and the needy can bring real change in the generations ahead."

She added that the party seeks to set an example of kindness, in line with Lord Mahavir's teachings of Jeevdaya, Ahimsa, and compassion, stressing that "the world needs more humane leadership in these times."