Mumbai: Protesters threaten NOTA in civic poll if Dadar kabutarkhana not reopened

According to sources, a secret meeting was held on Tuesday night by pro-pigeon residents to plan a protest against the Bombay High Court’s order directing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to act strictly against those feeding pigeons. Although the planned protest was called off, several protesters carrying knives arrived at the kabutarkhana around 11 am the following day, and after tearing the tarpaulin cover installed by the BMC, began feeding pigeons. BMC staff subsequently alerted the Shivaji Park police, who immediately rushed to the site.

Members of the Jain community and locals stage a demonstration at the Dadar kabutarkhana on Wednesday to protest against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s closure of the popular pigeon feeding site. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

Babu Mithapara, 67, a Dadar resident and lifeguard, said, “I am a school teacher and have been feeding pigeons here for the past 37 years. This is the first time in history that the Dadar kabutarkhana has been closed. It is an identity marker of Dadar. Two years ago, two boys from Dadar had gone missing and were found in Bengaluru. They were traced because they were seen daily near this kabutarkhana. If it’s not reopened, we will show our displeasure in the elections by pressing the NOTA button.”

Bina Mehta, another local, added, “Pigeons don’t harm anyone. I’ve been feeding them here for the past 40 years. But in recent days, police and BMC officials have stopped me. I carry food for them daily, but I am helpless. I even cried and pleaded with them, but they refused. I’m a senior citizen, and I’ve never fallen ill from feeding pigeons. I request the BMC, the court, and the police to reopen the kabutarkhana. Feeding birds is not a crime.”

Bhaskar P Devadiga, who resides in Mahim, said, “I frequently feed pigeons here. This is a heritage site. The kabutarkhana was shut down for political reasons. People are smoking on the streets, and massive constructions are going on, which cause far more health hazards, but no action is taken. Pigeons are starving. If the BMC doesn’t act, we will opt for NOTA.”

Meena J Gala, a resident of Dombivli, said, “I came all the way to Dadar after hearing about the protest. I am not against the high court order, but the government should think about the pigeons. They are innocent creatures, and we must be allowed to feed them. The BMC should reopen the kabutarkhana.”

Meanwhile, the trustees of the Shri Aagartad Shrishanti Nathiji Maharaj Jain Derasar, located near the Dadar kabutarkhana, stated that they are neither supporting the protest nor opposing the court order. Vijay Raj Parmar, chairman of the trust, said, “We believe in Jivdaya (compassion towards living beings). We are not participating in any protest. Some individuals are wrongly using our Derasar’s name. We are not against the court order, but the government should ensure that pigeons receive food and water.”

Vaktavar Mal Lodha, treasurer of the trust, added, “We want justice for the pigeons, who are suffering due to the kabutarkhana’s closure. We are not protesting against the BMC or the high court. We only wish for the pigeons to get food, water, and their space back.”

Cops speak

Senior Inspector Vilas Datir of the Shivaji Park police station said, “We have not registered any FIR in this matter. A station diary entry has been made, and we have recorded the statements of locals. We have also noted down the details of the individuals who visited the spot and tore down the kabutarkhana tarpaulin, which had been installed by the BMC. We are awaiting a formal complaint from the BMC. Since the kabutarkhana is the civic body’s property, we can take appropriate legal action only after the BMC lodges a complaint.” He added, “We managed to control the situation. All teams, including the riot control unit, were present at the spot to maintain law and order.”

(From left) Bina Mehta, Dadar resident who has been feeding pigeons for 40 years; Bhaskar P Devadiga, Mahim resident; Mitesh Jain, honorary animal welfare representative of the Animal Welfare Board of India; Sneha Visaria, petitioner who filed case in the high court

Activist’s opinions

Mitesh Jain, honorary animal welfare representative of the Animal Welfare Board of India and founder of Karuna Trust, Virar, said, “I have been visiting Dadar kabutarkhana daily to provide medical treatment to injured pigeons. Every day, we are seeing an increasing number of injuries — and some birds have even died. We urge the BMC and the government to reopen the kabutarkhana and save the pigeons. They are harmless and have every right to food, water, and shelter. The Dadar kabutarkhana has been their home for decades — they deserve to get it back.”

Petitioner’s plea

Sneha Visaria, the petitioner who filed the case in the Bombay High Court, told mid-day, “Pigeons are a symbol of peace. Suddenly cutting off their food supply has led to panic, starvation, fatal accidents while searching for food, and even deaths at the Dadar kabutarkhana. Mumbai is set to become the first city to ban pigeon feeding — without proper analysis, data, or truth. Dirty politics is endangering thousands of innocent pigeons. If authorities can’t protect birds and animals, how can we expect them to protect people? The court passed these harsh and cruel directions without even verified data. No country in the world has imposed such a ban.”

Meena J Gala, Dombivli resident

She added, “India is known for its culture, compassion, and beliefs — but look at what the BMC is doing in the name of public health, spreading fear based on misleading information. We had filed an RTI to demand data, but the BMC failed to comply, despite court orders to furnish it within 10 days of the last hearing. We have secured a stay from the court to prevent the demolition of the kabutarkhana until further orders. The BMC and government must recognise that this place is the pigeons’ home and must not demolish it.”