Why Mumbai's pigeon-feeding ban has sparked protests and a legal battle

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) crackdown on feeding pigeons in public spaces has escalated into a clash between civic authorities, health concerns and religious sentiments, now landing before the Bombay High Court. The issue, which has divided public opinion, stems from a decades-old tradition colliding with modern-day health hazards linked to the birds.

The flashpoint: Dadar Kabutarkhana clashes

On August 6, hundreds of protesters, primarily from Mumbai’s Jain community, tore down tarpaulin sheets erected by the BMC at Dadar’s historic kabutarkhana, a designated pigeon-feeding site. The civic body had covered the area to prevent congregation, citing directives from the state government and the High Court. The protest followed days of tension after the BMC began penalising individuals for feeding pigeons, fining at least 141 people Rs 500 each across 44 of the city’s 51 kabutarkhanas.

According to The Indian Express, the BMC’s actions were triggered by rising health concerns tied to pigeon droppings and feathers, which have been linked to pulmonary ailments. The crackdown intensified after Industries Minister Uday Samant directed the BMC to shut down kabutarkhanas following a Legislative Council discussion in July.

Religious sentiment vs public health

For Mumbai’s Jain community, feeding pigeons is an act of jeev daya (compassion for living beings), deeply embedded in religious practice. Kabutarkhanas, pigeon houses built over the past century, are often located near Jain temples and hold cultural significance. The Dadar Kabutarkhana, for instance, dates back to 1937, when the local Jain temple sought municipal permission to construct a bird enclosure, as per The Indian Express.

However, the Bombay High Court has maintained that “human health is paramount.” On July 24, the court observed that pigeon congregations posed a “grave social concern,” and on July 30, it directed the BMC to file FIRs against those feeding pigeons illegally. The civic body was also instructed to install CCTV cameras and deploy marshals to monitor feeding spots.

Political intervention and partial truce

As protests grew, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis intervened, urging the BMC to explore controlled feeding options. Following his meeting with Jain leaders on August 5, the Dadar Kabutarkhana Trust called off a planned peace meeting. However, a large crowd, seemingly unaware of the decision, gathered the next day and dismantled the BMC’s barricades to feed the pigeons, The Indian Express reported.

The BMC is now considering staggered feeding hours, but the High Court reiterated on August 8 that the ban on public feeding “very much stands.” The court also proposed forming an expert committee to assess the health risks and explore alternative solutions.?

The High Court will hear arguments on constituting the expert committee on August 13. Until then, the BMC’s ban remains in force, leaving Mumbai’s pigeon feeders and the birds themselves, in limbo.