Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay began a protest at Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Monday, opposing BMC's decision to shut down Dadar Kabutarkhana, a site where the community members have traditionally fed pigeons. Pics/Satej Shinde
Updated On: 2025-11-03 06:33 PM IST
Compiled by : Asif Ali Sayed
The BMC, in a recent move, allowed controlled feeding of pigeons at four locations- Worli Reservoir, the mangrove area on Lokhandwala Back Road in Andheri West, the Airoli-Mulund check post area, and Gorai ground in Borivali West
According to the BMC, feeding will be permitted only between 7 am and 9 am, and non-governmental organisations will be responsible for managing these sites
During the monk's protest, Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha visited Azad Maidan and spoke to Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay
The civic body has clarified that this is a temporary arrangement until the expert committee's report and court orders are received, and that closed Kabutarkhanas will not be reopened for now
"The alternate sites given by the BMC are as far as 4, 5 and even 9 kilometres away. Will a pigeon fly so far? The administration should have given a site within 2 km of the existing Kabutarkhana," the Jain monk said, reported the PTI
On Monday evening, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly speaker and BJP leader Rahul Narwekar reached Azad Maidan to meet Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay
After meeting Narvekar, the monk ended his fast
