Latest news with #Kabutarkhanas
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pigeon feeding row: Jain monk warns of stir from August 13, says will take up arms if needed
Jain monk Muni Nileshchandra Vijay has warned of launching an indefinite hunger strike from August 13 against the decision to shut down Dadar Kabutarkhana to stop people from feeding pigeons and asserted the community would not abide by court orders on the issue if it went against their religious practices. The Jain community is peaceful, but if needed, it will take up arms for religion, he had said on Sunday (August 10, 2025). Maharashtra Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who has been supportive of efforts to save Kabutarkhanas, however, distanced himself from Mr. Vijay's comments. On August 6, a large number of protesters removed the tarpaulin cover put up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at the Dadar Kabutarkhana to discourage the practice of feeding grains to pigeons and also clashed with police. Speaking to reporters on Sunday (August 10, 2025), Mr. Vijay said, 'We will follow the path of satyagraha and hunger strike. The Jain community is peaceful, but if needed, we will take up arms for our religion. If any decision goes against our faith, we will not accept even the court's order.' He claimed more than 10 lakh Jains from all over the country will take part in the protest. 'The ban targets Jain traditions. The move is politically motivated with elections in mind. From ants to elephants, no living being should die (from hunger), that is what our religion teaches. Why is Jainism being targeted? Show how many people die after consuming liquor and chicken,' the monk further said. Queried by reporters about Mr. Vijay's comments, Mr. Lodha said, 'I do not agree with his statement. I have spoken twice on this matter, and I am fulfilling my role. I will not comment further.' The BMC on Sunday (August 10, 2025) once again covered Dadar Kabutarkhana with plastic sheets. It repaired the damaged bamboo cladding at the spot before putting silver coloured plastic sheets on the pigeon feeding area, located on the west side of Dadar station, the officials said. To avoid any law and order issue and prevent people from feeding the birds, security at the site has been stepped up and the civic body also deployed its marshals at the kabutarkhana, they said. The BMC's decision to ban public feeding of pigeons in view of health hazards associated with the practice and close kabutarkhanas has led to a controversy. People who feed pigeons have challenged the civic body's decision in the Bombay High Court. On August 7, the HC said it had not passed any order directing the closure of kabutarkhanas in the city but only refrained from staying the closure order of the municipal corporation. A committee of experts can study whether the old kabutarkhanas in the city should continue, but 'human life is of paramount importance', it had said. The HC was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by people who feed pigeons, challenging the civic body's decision to ban such feeding and close kabutarkhanas.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Didn't order closure of 'Kabutarkhanas', says Bombay HC, 'but people's health is important'
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday said it had not passed any order directing the closure of ' Kabutarkhanas ' (pigeon-feeding spots) in the city, but only refrained from staying the closure order of the municipal corporation. A committee of experts can study whether the old Kabutarkhanas in the city should continue, but " human life is of paramount importance", it said. "If something affects the larger health of senior citizens and kids, then it should be looked into. There has to be a balance," the court said. Earlier this week, sheets were placed covering the Kabutarkhanas in the city, leading to protests. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had then claimed that the Kabutarkhanas were closed following the high court's order. A bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Arif Doctor on Thursday clarified that it had not passed any order. "It was the BMC's ( Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation ) decision (to close Kabutarkhanas) which was challenged before us. We did not pass any order. We only did not grant any interim relief," the HC said. But the judges also noted that human health is of paramount importance and concern, and it would consider appointing a committee of experts to study the issue and submit recommendations to the government. "We are only concerned about public health . These are public places where thousands of people are has to be a balance. There are few who want to feed (pigeons). It is for the government to now take a decision. There is nothing adversarial in this," the bench said. It was for the government and BMC to take an informed decision to ensure that the constitutional rights of every citizen are upheld and not just those of a few interested individuals, it added. "All medical reports point at irreversible damage caused by pigeons. Human life is of paramount importance," the HC said. The court was not an expert to decide the issue, and hence a scientific study needs to be conducted before any decision is taken, it stated. Posting the matter for further hearing on August 13, the HC asked the Advocate General of Maharashtra to remain present, so that an order setting up an expert committee could be passed. There is a wealth of medical material that needs to be looked into and the court is not an expert to examine the same, it said, adding that an expert committee can decide if the BMC's decision was right. "Hence, in our opinion, the state can consider appointing a committee as it is the guardian and custodian of public health and of the citizens," HC added. If the committee opines that the BMC's decision was right, then a suitable alternative for the birds can be looked into, it further said. The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by people who feed pigeons challenging the civic body's decision to ban such feeding and close Kabutarkhanas. The high court had last month refused any interim relief to the petitioners, but asked the authorities to not demolish any heritage Kabutarkhanas. PTI
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Government must balance rights, public health: Court on Mumbai Kabutarkhana ban
The Bombay High Court has come down heavily on those who had been claiming that the ban on Kabutarkhanas in Mumbai was because of a court bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Arif Doctor also clarified that the decision to demolish the enclosures at Kabutarkhanas was not taken by the court but by the BMC."Please read our order of July 24. It is a decision of the BMC that was challenged by the petitioners. It is not the court which has taken a decision. We do not want to give out a picture that the court ordered something," said Justice The bench further added, "We are only concerned about public health. These are public places where thousands of people reside. There has to be a balance. There are few who want to feed pigeons. It is for the government to now take a decision. There is nothing adversarial in this."The court added that it was for the government and BMC to take an informed decision to ensure that the constitutional rights of every citizen are upheld and not just those of a few interested individuals. "All medical reports point at irreversible damage caused by pigeons. Human life is of paramount importance," the bench bench noted that there were many medical and statistical reports that the BMC as well as the petitioners had relied on. It added that the court was not an expert to decide on the issue and hence a scientific study is required before any decision is taken."There is a wealth of medical material that needs to be looked into. The court is not an expert to examine the same. Hence, in our opinion, the state can consider appointing a committee as it is the guardian and custodian of public health and of the citizens. The government and BMC can use their wisdom and solve the issue arising out of BMC's decision to close down Kabutarkhanas. The committee can decide if the decision of the BMC is right or wrong. Certainly, the Government and BMC will not go against the recommendation of the committee," said the bench thus sought the presence of the Maharashtra Advocate General to discuss the issue and said that in the event that a report is prepared on the issue and if BMC's decision is upheld and it is not required to be recalled, then expert opinion of organisations such as the Animal Welfare Board of India can be taken to find out alternatives for the birds, said the the end of the hearing, the petitioners sought that at least one hour of the day be given where the people could feed the pigeons. However, the bench refused to entertain the request and directed the petitioners to make representation before the BMC over the BENCH WILL FURTHER HEAR THE ISSUE ON AUGUST 13 advertisementDuring the Maharashtra Assembly Session, certain BJP leaders spoke about pigeons creating health hazards for people. Soon the BMC announced that there was a ban on feeding pigeons that had been imposed and thus covered up the entire Kabutarkhanas. However, Jain community members said that it was a part of their religious service to feed pigeons and held protests and delegations met the Chief Minister. Later, it is learnt that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as well as Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha told the delegations that the ban had come about following a direction from the court. The state assured the Jain community members that it would make sure that the high court order is high court had last month refused any interim relief to the petitioners, but asked the authorities not to demolish any heritage Kabutarkhanas. - EndsTune InTrending Reel
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Expert Panel To Look Into Pigeon Feeding In Mumbai, Says High Court
Mumbai: An expert committee will be formed to look into the issue of feeding pigeons in public and the ban on feeding will continue till the committee report is in, the Bombay High Court said today, pointing out that it is the responsibility of the Brihanmumbai Corporation to protect the health of citizens. The committee can study whether the old Kabutarkhanas in the city should continue, but "human life is of paramount importance", it said. "If something affects the larger health of senior citizens and kids, then it should be looked into. There has to be a balance," said the bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Arif Doctor. The Municipal Corporation and the state government have been given clearance to take an appropriate decision by taking the advice of experts. The court said providing an alternative place for the birds can also be considered. "It was the BMC's (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) decision (to close Kabutarkhanas) which was challenged before us. We did not pass any order. We only did not grant any interim relief," the judges said. "All medical reports point at irreversible damage caused by pigeons. Human life is of paramount importance... These are public places where thousands of people are residing... There has to be a balance. There are few who want to feed (pigeons). It is for the government to now take a decision. There is nothing adversarial in this," the bench said. The next hearing of this case will be on August 13. Earlier today, a group defied the Bombay High Court's order on banning pigeon feeding at public spaces. They tore up the tarpaulin sheet covers set up by the municipal authorities near the iconic Kabootarkhana in Dadar's Jain Temple to implement the court order due health concerns over pigeon droppings. The protesters were seen cutting the rope used to fasten the tarpaulin sheets and bringing down the bamboo stems used to hold them up. The tarpaulin was put up as a stop gap measure after the High Court asked the authorities to punitive action against those who continue to feed pigeons. The police failed to control the crowd and there was a clash as the protesters entered the feeding spot and began feeding the birds.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Didn't order closure of `Kabutarkhanas', says Bombay HC, `but people's health is important'
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday said it had not passed any order directing the closure of `Kabutarkhanas' (pigeon-feeding spots) in the city, but only refrained from staying the closure order of the municipal corporation. A committee of experts can study whether the old Kabutarkhanas in the city should continue, but "human life is of paramount importance", it said. "If something affects the larger health of senior citizens and kids, then it should be looked into. There has to be a balance," the court said. Earlier this week, sheets were placed covering the Kabutarkhanas in the city, leading to protests. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had then claimed that the Kabutarkhanas were closed following the high court's order. A bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Arif Doctor on Thursday clarified that it had not passed any order. "It was the BMC's (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) decision (to close Kabutarkhanas) which was challenged before us. We did not pass any order. We only did not grant any interim relief," the HC said. But the judges also noted that human health is of paramount importance and concern, and it would consider appointing a committee of experts to study the issue and submit recommendations to the government. "We are only concerned about public health. These are public places where thousands of people are has to be a balance. There are few who want to feed (pigeons). It is for the government to now take a decision. There is nothing adversarial in this," the bench said. It was for the government and BMC to take an informed decision to ensure that the constitutional rights of every citizen are upheld and not just those of a few interested individuals, it added. "All medical reports point at irreversible damage caused by pigeons. Human life is of paramount importance," the HC said. The court was not an expert to decide the issue, and hence a scientific study needs to be conducted before any decision is taken, it stated. Posting the matter for further hearing on August 13, the HC asked the Advocate General of Maharashtra to remain present, so that an order setting up an expert committee could be passed. There is a wealth of medical material that needs to be looked into and the court is not an expert to examine the same, it said, adding that an expert committee can decide if the BMC's decision was right. "Hence, in our opinion, the state can consider appointing a committee as it is the guardian and custodian of public health and of the citizens," HC added. If the committee opines that the BMC's decision was right, then a suitable alternative for the birds can be looked into, it further said. The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by people who feed pigeons challenging the civic body's decision to ban such feeding and close Kabutarkhanas. The high court had last month refused any interim relief to the petitioners, but asked the authorities to not demolish any heritage Kabutarkhanas.
