Latest news with #MuniNileshchandraVijay
News18
16 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Jain Monk To Go On Indefinite Hunger Strike From Today Amid Pigeon Feeding Row
The BMC's decision to ban public pigeon feeding due to health concerns and close kabutarkhanas has sparked controversy. 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) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
State may set up pigeon feeding centres in SGNP
MUMBAI: Amid the row over feeding pigeons at Kabutarkhana, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state government will consider setting up feeding centres at deserted places, like the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Mumbai, India. Aug 11, 2025: BMC once again covered the Dadar Kabutarkhana with plastic following a Mumbai High Court order. Last week, Jain community members forcibly opened the Kabutarkhana and removed the plastic.. Mumbai, India. Au 11, 2025. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Raju Shinde) On Monday, the Supreme Court, refusing to intervene with the Bombay High Court's order, directed the Mumbai civic body to lodge FIRs against persons feeding pigeons illegally and to shut down the Kabutarkhana at Dadar. Reacting to the SC order, Fadnavis said the government will follow the apex court's directives. 'However, there are emotions attached to the issue, and we will consider setting up feeding areas for pigeons in deserted areas like SGNP. It will be in accordance with the forest laws,' he said. On the other hand, the remarks of a Jain monk, Muni Nileshchandra Vijay, invoked reactions from the opposition. On Sunday, Jain monk Muni Nileshchandra Vijay said that the community will follow the path of satyagraha and hunger strike from August 13 if the ban continues. '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 said. Kishori Pednekar, former Mumbai mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, asked him if pigeons were the private property of the Jain community. 'Though they call themselves Muni, the Jain monks have no social maturity since they are younger and keep issuing such statements. The courts have banned Kabutarkhana after it was scientifically proven that the pigeons are hazardous for human health, ' she said. Jain community leader and state skill development minister Mangalprabhat Lodha distanced himself from the remarks by the monk. 'I disagree with his statement. I have spoken twice on this matter, and I am doing my role. I will not comment further,' he said.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai's kabutarkhana row deepens: Jain monk warns of fast from August 13
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. He asserted the community would not abide by court orders on the issue if it went against their religious practices. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has covered the Dadar Kabutarkhana area following court orders.(ANI) The Jain community is peaceful but, if needed, it will take up arms for religion, he had said on Sunday. Maharashtra skill development minister Manga Prabhat Lodha, who has been supportive of efforts to save kabutarkhanas (pigeon shelter or feeding stations), however, distanced himself from 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, Vijay said, "We will follow the path of satyagraha and hunger strike. The Jain community is peaceful but, if needed, 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 Vijay's comments, 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 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.
The Hindu
2 days 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
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra pigeon feeding row: Jain monk warns of hunger strike, says 'will take up arms if needed'
NEW DELHI: Jain monk Muni Nileshchandra Vijay has threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike from August 13 to protest the closure of Dadar Kabutarkhana, where people traditionally feed pigeons. He declared that the Jain community would defy even court orders if they went against religious practices, according to news agency PTI. "The Jain community is peaceful, but if needed, we will take up arms for our religion," he added. The controversy erupted after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on August 6 covered the pigeon-feeding area with tarpaulin to discourage the practice, citing health hazards. Protesters tore down the cover and clashed with police. On Sunday, the BMC restored the barricades and covered the site with silver-coloured plastic sheets, with marshals and police deployed to prevent feeding. Vijay alleged the ban was politically motivated ahead of elections and claimed over 10 lakh Jains from across India would join the protest. "From ants to elephants, no living being should die of hunger. Why is Jainism being targeted? Show how many people die after consuming liquor and chicken," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK + S from ₹7.99 Cr* | Avail 30:40:30 Easy Payment Plan Godrej Properties Get Quote Undo The ban has been challenged in the Bombay high court. On August 7, the HC clarified it had not ordered the closure of kabutarkhanas but had declined to stay the BMC's decision, emphasising that 'human life is of paramount importance.' A committee of experts is expected to study the future of Mumbai's kabutarkhanas.
