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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘Kabootars are dangerous': Maharashtra govt orders immediate shutdown of pigeon feeding points in Mumbai
The Maharashtra government has ordered the BMC to shut down all pigeon feeding spots in Mumbai due to public health concerns over respiratory issues caused by pigeon droppings. This decision follows complaints and legislative council discussions, with officials highlighting the need for public awareness regarding the risks of feeding pigeons. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Health risk raised in legislative council 51 feeding points to be targeted Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Need for public awareness on pigeon feeding Unauthorized feeding spots already removed Protest erupted over similar action last year Activists allege political interference in demolition Previous attempts to block pigeon feeding reported Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Animal rights groups escalate protest to higher authorities The Maharashtra government has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to immediately begin shutting down all 'kabootar khanas', pigeon feeding points, in Mumbai, citing public health concerns related to pigeon droppings. The move follows growing complaints that the sites are causing respiratory problems among Sena leader and nominated MLC Manisha Kayande raised the issue in the Maharashtra legislative council on Thursday. She said, 'These 'kabootar khanas' pose a danger to the people living around them as their waste and feathers lead to respiratory diseases.'BJP leader Chitra Wagh, also a nominated member of the Council, added that she had lost a family member due to pigeon-related health complications. 'I lost my aunt due to respiratory diseases arising from pigeon droppings,' she to the matter on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Urban Development Minister Uday Samant informed the House that there are 51 'kabootar khanas' in Mumbai.'The civic body will be asked to start (an awareness) drive against 'kabootar khanas' within a month. Directions will be issued to the BMC to immediately start the process of shutting 'kabootar khanas',' Samant highlighted the need to inform the public about the risks of feeding pigeons. He mentioned that pigeons have been observed eating leftover fast food at public places like Girgaum said the Dadar 'kabootar khana', one of the city's most well-known pigeon feeding spots, was briefly shut but reopened after residents resumed feeding birds a written reply, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde stated that unauthorised 'kabootar khanas' in Santacruz East, Daulat Nagar, and Santacruz West have already been shut. The BMC has replaced those areas with traffic islands and Miyawaki-style gardens, he civic body is now expected to carry out further closures as per the government's demolition of a long-standing pigeon feeding area at Gowalia Tank in South Mumbai during Dhanteras last year drew strong criticism from animal welfare groups and bird lovers. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed the 'kabootar khana' structure, triggering outrage among activists, who alleged political motives behind the welfare volunteers said the decision to remove the kabootar khana was taken following a closed-door meeting involving local residents and political workers the previous night. Sneha Visaria from the Just Smile Charitable Trust said, 'We came to know that there was a meeting of some local residents and political workers of a particular party on Monday night, on the issue of demolishing this 15-year-old kabootar khana at Gowalia Tank (August Kranti Maidan). Hence, it was demolished to get their votes. We animal lovers immediately called up the police control number and also tried to talk to the local civic officials to protest against this.'Visaria added that this wasn't the first attempt to restrict bird feeding at the site. 'Several pigeons died three months ago as feeders were stopped from giving them food. Now, again the tiles at the site were broken. This is against our Constitutional duty to show compassion for birds and animals. The Animal Welfare Board of India also supported our cause of feeding birds by writing to the BMC in 2022,' she alleged that flower pots had been placed at the spot a few months earlier to obstruct access and discourage pigeon animal rights organisations and Jain religious bodies are planning to escalate the matter by writing to state and central authorities. Letters are expected to be sent to the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Prime Minister's Office, requesting intervention and the preservation of long-standing bird feeding argue that the sudden removal of such spaces, without consultation, undermines decades-old practices and disrespects the sentiments of communities that support animal welfare. These groups are asking the government to consider these feeding points as cultural and compassionate spaces rather than targets for removal.(Inputs from PTI)
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Maharashtra government will tell BMC to shut all kabutarkhanas in Mumbai, start awareness campaign: Minister Uday Samant
Mumbai: State govt will instruct BMC to immediately shut all 51 kabutarkhanas in the city and launch a campaign to create awareness within a month about the health risks associated with feeding pigeons on local residents, industries minister Uday Samant told the legislative council Thursday. The issue of "illegal" kabutarkhanas—pigeon-feeding areas— especially at the traffic island in Dadar (W), was raised in the council by Shiv Sena's Manisha Kayande. Kabutarkhanas are causing respiratory ailments amongst residents, she said, demanding medical tests for local residents to know the ill-effects. She sought to know what action govt will take considering the health hazard involved. BJP MLC Chitra Wagh said her aunt, who lived in Bhardawadi in Andheri (W) died of respiratory disease caused by a local kabutarkhana. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Despite repeated pleas, the local civic ward officer did not shut down the kabutarkhana. My aunt's friends are also suffering from respiratory diseases," Wagh said. "A kabutarkhana has been set up on the footpath abutting L J Road at Mahim. At Dadar, the traffic island is a Grade II heritage structure. The kabutarkhana that developed over years is causing health problems to residents," said Kayande, adding that assistant municipal commissioner Vinayak Vispute, who earlier headed the Bandra (W) ward (H-West), shut down a kabutarkhana. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo She sought to know why he was unable to do the same in Dadar, demanding the kabutarkhana be replaced with a Miyawaki garden. "At Dadar, the kabutarkhana was closed for two years," Samant said. "A committee, comprising local residents and headed by the assistant municipal commissioner, was set up at the time. Awareness was created amongst residents, and the kabutarkhana was closed." He assured that public awareness campaigns would be conducted about how diseases spread due to feeding pigeons.
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Opposition seeks apology over MLC's ‘urban Naxal' remark on wari pilgrimage
Holding copies of the Constitution, Opposition leaders staged a protest on the steps of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan on Thursday (July 3, 2025), condemning Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande's remarks alleging the presence of 'urban Naxals' in the annual Ashadhi wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Leaders across the Opposition spectrum — including Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve (Shiv Sena-UBT), Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad — accused the Mahayuti government of attempting to defame a centuries-old religious tradition and demanded an apology from the ruling alliance. 'This is not just an attack on the wari, but on Maharashtra's cultural identity. The government must immediately withdraw these remarks and apologise to the warkari community,' Mr. Danve said during the protest. The Ashadhi wari is a revered annual pilgrimage during which lakhs of devotees — known as warkaris — walk to Pandharpur to offer prayers to Lord Vitthal. Ms. Kayande, a nominated member of the Upper House, claimed in the Legislative Council on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) that urban Naxals had infiltrated the wari and were attempting to mislead devotees. 'Atheist individuals who do not believe in God have entered the wari. This is a serious matter. Under the guise of groups like Samvidhan Dindi, Paryavaran Wari, and Lokayat, they are staging street plays, delivering speeches, and influencing warkaris,' Ms. Kayande alleged. She also cited past instances where pieces of meat were reportedly thrown during the procession. She urged the Mahayuti government to act swiftly to preserve the sanctity of the pilgrimage and said the proposed Maharashtra Public Security Bill would help curb such disruptive elements. 'During last year's Lok Sabha elections, these same elements spread a false narrative about the Constitution being changed,' Ms. Kayande added. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena faction that nominated Ms. Kayande, told the House that the government had taken cognisance of the matter and had directed the Home Department to investigate the claims. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam also said his office had received complaints about attempts by alleged 'urban Naxals' to disrupt social harmony and assured the House that the matter would be taken seriously. The Opposition, however, dismissed the remarks as baseless and politically motivated. They alleged that the comments were part of a deliberate attempt to politicise a spiritual event and discredit the peaceful warkari movement. 'This is an attempt to sow division under the guise of security concerns. The government must stop targeting religious gatherings with ideological labels,' Mr. Awhad said.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Maha oppn stages protest against Sena MLC's remarks on Warkari sect
Kayande, a nominated member of the Upper House, on Wednesday claimed in the legislative council that 'urban Naxals' have infiltrated the wari annual pilgrimage and are attempting to mislead 'warkaris' Press Trust of India Mumbai Opposition legislators staged a protest at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan's steps on Thursday against Shiv Sena lawmaker Manisha Kayande's remarks claiming "urban Naxals" have infiltrated the annual wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The protesters, including Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, held copies of the Constitution and shouted slogans criticising the government for allegedly defaming the religious tradition. They accused the government of promoting superstition and dividing the society by targeting devotees who participate in the holy Ashadhi wari annual pilgrimage to the temple town of Pandharpur. Kayande's remarks were unfounded, misleading and an attempt to politicise the spiritual journey undertaken by lakhs of 'warkaris' (devotees of Lord Vitthal) every year, they claimed. The opposition leaders alleged that such remarks were an attempt to create discord and insult the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual tradition of the wari. "This is not just an attack on the wari, but on Maharashtra's cultural identity. The government should immediately withdraw the remarks and apologise to the warkari community," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Danve said. Kayande, a nominated member of the Upper House, on Wednesday claimed in the legislative council that "urban Naxals" have infiltrated the wari annual pilgrimage and are attempting to mislead 'warkaris'. The MLC said in the past, there were incidents where pieces of meat were thrown during the wari. Prominent Warkari sect leader Bandatatya Karadkar had objected to such acts. She urged the Mahayuti government to take immediate action to preserve the sanctity of the wari. Kayande said the BJP-led government is set to introduce the Maharashtra Public Security Bill, which is specifically aimed at curbing such disruptive elements. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, on Wednesday said the government has taken cognisance of the matter raised by the MLC and appropriate directions will be issued to the home department for an inquiry. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam also said he had received complaints about attempts by 'urban Naxals' to divide the society and assured the government would look into the matter. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Opposition stages protest against MLC's remarks linking 'urban Naxals' to wari pilgrimage
MUMBAI: Opposition legislators staged a protest at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan's steps on Thursday against Shiv Sena lawmaker Manisha Kayande's remarks claiming "urban Naxals" have infiltrated the annual wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The protesters, including Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, held copies of the Constitution and shouted slogans criticising the government for allegedly defaming the religious tradition. They accused the government of promoting superstition and dividing the society by targeting devotees who participate in the holy Ashadhi wari annual pilgrimage to the temple town of Pandharpur. Kayande's remarks were unfounded, misleading and an attempt to politicise the spiritual journey undertaken by lakhs of 'warkaris' (devotees of Lord Vitthal) every year, they claimed. The opposition leaders alleged that such remarks were an attempt to create discord and insult the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual tradition of the wari. "This is not just an attack on the wari, but on Maharashtra's cultural identity. The government should immediately withdraw the remarks and apologise to the warkari community," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Danve said.
