Jain Monk To Go On Indefinite Hunger Strike From Today Amid Pigeon Feeding Row
Jain monk Muni Nileshchandra Vijay announced on Sunday that he would commence an indefinite hunger strike from August 13 if the decision to shut down Dadar Kabutarkhana and stop pigeon feeding is not reversed. He stressed that the community would not follow court orders if they conflicted with their religious practices.
Vijay stated that while the Jain community is peaceful, they are prepared to defend their religion if necessary. On August 6, numerous protesters dismantled a tarpaulin cover put up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at Dadar Kabutarkhana to deter pigeon feeding and clashed with police.
Addressing media, Vijay said, 'We will undertake a satyagraha and hunger strike. The Jain community is peaceful, but we will defend our religion if needed. We will not accept any court order that goes against our faith." He also claimed that over 1 million Jains from across the country would join the protest.
Vijay argued that the ban targets Jain traditions and is politically motivated with elections in mind. He emphasised that Jainism teaches that no living being, from ants to elephants, should suffer from hunger.
He questioned why Jainism is being singled out and pointed out the harm caused by liquor and chicken consumption.
On Sunday, the BMC once again covered Dadar Kabutarkhana with plastic sheets and repaired the damaged bamboo cladding before putting silver-coloured sheets over the pigeon feeding area near Dadar station.
To maintain law and order and prevent pigeon feeding, security at the site has been increased, and the civic body has deployed marshals at the kabutarkhana.
The BMC's decision to ban public pigeon feeding due to health concerns and close kabutarkhanas has sparked controversy.
Those who feed pigeons have challenged the decision in the Bombay High Court. On August 7, the High Court clarified that it had not ordered the closure of kabutarkhanas but had refrained from staying the municipal corporation's closure order. The court suggested that a committee of experts could study whether old kabutarkhanas should remain, stating that 'human life is of paramount importance."
The HC was hearing multiple petitions challenging the BMC's decision to ban pigeon feeding and close kabutarkhanas.
(With agency inputs)
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