Latest news with #SnehaVisaria
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt tries to placate Jain orgs, community outreach in focus
Mumbai: The decision by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to close down the Kabutarkhana in Dadar as part of a civic push to address urban hygiene and public health and the responses from Jain groups has put the focus on the community and its traditions. Feeding of pigeons holds cultural and religious significance for Jains who contribute actively to jeev daya (compassion for living beings) initiatives. While the civic body has cited environmental and health concerns as justification for enforcing a ban, community members have sought a consultative approach by the govt. Senior Jain monk Yugbhushansuriji questioned the evidence for banning pigeon-feeding. "Compassion towards animals and birds is a constitutional duty of Indian citizens. A blanket ban on feeding pigeons appears premature," he said. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Sneha Visaria, trustee of Just Smile Charitable Trust—which has moved the Bombay High Court over the decision—raised concerns saying "pigeons are dying of starvation. Vendors supplying bird feed have reported distressing conditions." Jains in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region which includes Mumbai and surrounding centres, number around 14 lakh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Sit Down Before You See What He Looks Like Now 33 Bridges Undo Across the state, there are around 60 lakh, said Lalit Gandhi, chairman, Jain Minority Development and Financial Corporation, an organisation set up last year by the state govt on the eve of the assembly election. Explaining the community's commitment to ahimsa and animal welfare, he said, "We have been feeding not just pigeons. We also run cow shelters and we have been doing it for centuries." A majority in the community are perceived as pro-BJP which explains the govt intervening in the issue to find an "amicable solution" on a priority basis, said party sources. "In Borivali and Malabar Hill the community plays a crucial role in the elections. Both assembly constituencies are BJP strongholds," said a source. "The Jain Aghadi, a sub-cell of the BJP, is very active in social work as well as party activities. Apart from this, the community also offers strong financial support to the BJP," said sources. The community's ability to mobilise support was also evident when the BMC demolished a Jain temple in Vile Parle saying it was illegal. Large processions were organised in the western suburbs to protest the move. Similarly, the shifting of an ailing elephant from a Jain math in Kolhapur to an animal shelter in Gujarat sparked off an agitation prompting the chief minister to assure protestors that the govt would bring up the case before Supreme Court.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Citizens march to protest ban on pigeon feeding in Mumbai
Mumbai: More than 1,000 citizens, including Jain spiritual leaders, undertook a protest march from Colaba Jain Mandir to Gateway of India on Sunday, to protest the ban on feeding pigeons in the city. Jain muni, Nareshchandra Ji Maharaj, also announced a fast unto death on Aug 10 in order to demand the resumption of feeding of pigeons. "Hundreds of pigeons have died of starvation in Mumbai in the past few days because the state authorities have forcibly stopped animal lovers from feeding the birds. Dadar Kabutarkhana and other feeding sites have been sealed by BMC. We oppose this cruel ban on pigeon feeding," he said. The venue for the hunger strike will soon be decided. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Jain community leaders have urged citizens to join them for this cause. Activist Sneha Visaria of Just Smile Charitable Trust, who participated in Sunday's protest march, said: "It is heartbreaking to see how over 50,000 pigeons have died on the streets and atop terraces because people have been stopped from feeding this feeding ban is wrong and unethical." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo Animal activist Mitesh Jain said: "BMC is going against our Constitution's Article 51(A)(g) which says we must show compassion for all creatures. A recent RTI finding from Nair and Sion hospital show negligible effect of pigeons on human pulmonary health." The Mahavir Mission Trust, Colaba Sakal Jain Sangh, and Rajasthani 36 Kaum-Colaba also participated in the protest march. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
