Mumbai: Pigeon politics flap up a storm; MNS, NCP slam CM Fadnavis over regulated feeding plan

Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha visits Dadar’s kabutarkhana after protesters dismantle BMC barriers during a Jain community protest

Pigeon feeding at kabutarkhana has turned into a political blame game, with the BMC caught between public sentiment and court orders. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked the BMC to ensure regulated feeding of pigeons.

A day after this meeting, members of the Jain community staged a protest at kabutarkhana in Dadar. Supporters of pigeon feeding, mainly from a particular community, allegedly tried to forcefully reopen the feeding spot and damaged installations placed by the BMC to prevent pigeons from entering.

In response, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP launched fresh attacks on the Mahayuti government (BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP). Senior MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar urged Fadnavis to consider broader public sentiment and public health concerns before making any decision on the issue.

Jain community members protest at Dadar's kabutarkhana, defying the court-ordered ban on pigeon feeding. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Recently, the Bombay High Court ordered a complete ban on pigeon feeding at kabutarkhana. In early July, during the monsoon session, the state government also cited the health risks from pigeon droppings and feathers, linked to respiratory illnesses, and ordered the closure of all 51 Kabutarkhanas across Mumbai.

Despite the order, religious sentiments have continued to fuel demands to preserve the tradition. Following this, a delegation of community members, along with Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, met Chief Minister Fadnavis on Tuesday. During this meeting, the CM directed the BMC to consider regulated feeding and explore solutions to manage pigeon droppings.

A day later, National Spokesperson for the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Clyde Crasto, questioned the legality of the CM's stance. "The Bombay High Court has ordered criminal action against those defying the ban on public pigeon feeding. How can the CM ask for controlled feeding against court orders?" Crasto asked.

In response to a mid-day query about whether his directive violated court orders, Fadnavis clarified: "I only said that until proper arrangements are made, controlled feeding can be done by the BMC so that the pigeons don't die. They follow a particular eating pattern and have been used to these spots for years. Experts have suggested they might die of starvation otherwise."

After visiting the site in Dadar, BJP leader and Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha condemned the incident and said legal action would be taken against those who caused the damage. He urged citizens to maintain peace, claiming that the protest may have been led by outsiders and not locals.