Mumbai pigeon feeding row escalates: Jain temple shut, heavy police deployment at Dadar kabutarkhana

Mumbai pigeon feeding row

Heavy police presence surrounded Dadar’s iconic kabutarkhana (pigeon feeding area) on Wednesday morning, with the nearby Jain temple also shutting its doors ahead of a planned protest by the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti.

The group is demanding strict enforcement of a court-ordered ban on feeding pigeons and action against Jain protesters who allegedly violated the directive last week by removing a tarpaulin cover and feeding birds at the site, according to an FPJ report.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has backed the protest, with Marathi Ekikaran Samiti member Pramod Parte confirming to FPJ that leaders from multiple political parties, including the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), were expected to join. However, the demonstration, scheduled for 10 am, had yet to commence.

Local civic activist Chetan Kamble noted that while crowds had gathered, organisers appeared delayed. "It is not sure why the protest is delayed. It is said the police have sent them notices to not demonstration, but it is not confirmed. The shops were also told to shut till noon, however many are open as of now," he was cited by FPJ as saying.

The protest coincides with a Bombay High Court hearing on the kabutarkhana dispute, where the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is expected to submit details on forming an expert committee to assess health risks posed by pigeon droppings. The court had previously clarified that it did not order the closure of pigeon-feeding areas, leaving the decision to the BMC.

Meanwhile, petitioners Pallavi Patil and Shena Visaria, who brought the issue to the court, reportedly wrote to the BMC on Tuesday, urging the reopening of kabatarkhanas. The legal and civic standoff continues to fuel tensions in the neighbourhood, with authorities on high alert.