On Wednesday, protestors demanded a stricter enforcement of the ban on feeding pigeons in public. They also criticised the action of the mob that pulled down the plastic sheets covering the Dadar Kabutarkhana on August 6, terming it as an act of vandalism
Police detain the protesters in Dadar, Mumbai. PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE
At least 25 to 30 people have been detained by the Mumbai Police at the Dadar Kabutarkhana on Wednesday morning during a protest organised by the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti. The protest came exactly a week after a mob tore down the plastic sheets covering Dadar Kabutar Khana, in response to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) ongoing ban against feeding pigeons in public.
On Wednesday, protestors demanded a stricter enforcement of the ban on feeding pigeons in public. They also criticised the action of the mob that pulled down the plastic sheets covering the Dadar Kabutarkhana on August 6, terming it as an act of vandalism.
The protest, called 'Chala Dadar', witnessed the participation of at least 100 members of civil society and residents in Dadar and took place under heavy police protection. Subsequently, the police also detained those who were speaking to media or were at the forefront of the protest.
The main demands of the protesters include:
1) Civic authorities should continue to prioritise concerns of public health over the sentiments of a few members of a particular community
2) Kabutarkhanas should be closed down in all places in Mumbai
3) Feeding spots for pigeons should be shifted outside Mumbai or outside residential areas at proper locations not frequented by citizens, to minimise adverse impact on health
4) Contempt of court should be applied on authorities who did not take any action against those who tore down Dadar Kabutarkhana 's plastic covers
5) Fining and FIRs should continue against those feeding pigeons in public
Speaking to mid-day.com, Chetan Kamble, the founder of the Chakachak Dadar organisation and a social activist, said, "It is appalling that the police have detained at least 25 to 30 people today. But last week when a mob violently tore down the plastic covering at the Kabutarkhana, the authorities remained mute spectators. They took no action against that kind of protest. Contempt of court should be applied against civic and police officials who violated court orders and did not take any action against the protestors last week. This is hypocrisy."
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