A Health-Driven Prohibition Takes Flight
Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), complying with a directive from the Bombay High Court, imposed a ban on pigeon feeding at traditional kabutarkhana sites—popular pigeon feeding corners in neighborhoods like Dadar. Authorities cited serious public health hazards, including respiratory and fungal infections linked to pigeon droppings, and growing sanitation concerns.
Legal Battles and Calls for Regulation, Not Eradication
Residents challenging the ban argued it threatened religious freedoms. In response, the High Court permitted regulated feeding at designated times and suspended the demolition of heritage sites. The Supreme Court declined to intervene, directing petitioners back to the High Court for modification requests.
Outrage from the Jain Community and Local Groups
The ban has ignited strong backlash, particularly among Mumbai’s Jain community, for whom feeding pigeons embodies the faith principle of ahimsa (non‑violence). A prominent Jain monk pledged a fast‑unto‑death protest and clarified that his earlier call to “take up arms” referred metaphorically to fasting, not violence.
Tensions escalated when protesters removed tarpaulin coverings from a sealed kabutarkhana in Dadar, defying court orders. Hundreds of arrests followed as authorities moved to contain the unrest.
Enforcement Begins: Fines and FIRs against Offenders
Between August 1–11, the BMC took strict action—covering feeding sites, barricading areas, and registering multiple FIRs for pigeon feeding, invoking public health laws. The total fines collected reached ₹32,000, with citations issued across various wards, including areas like PS, GN, and RN.
Balancing Act: Authorities Seek Compromise Amid Political Tensions
Recognizing the delicate mix of cultural and political pressure, the Maharashtra government is seeking a middle path. Discussion is underway for creating “controlled feeding” zones, potentially outside dense urban areas, while maintaining hygiene standards.
Guest Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha emphasized the importance of respecting religious traditions without compromising public safety.
Broad Implications: Culture vs Health in Urban India
Mumbai’s pigeon feeding dispute underscores a broader societal tension: the challenge of preserving religious customs and heritage in the face of urban public health and modernization. It reflects the complex dynamics of city governance, where diverse faith-based practices must be weighed alongside civic wellbeing.
The case serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple acts—like feeding birds—can ignite deeper questions about identity, freedom, and how communities cohabit shared public spaces.
