A strange scene was seen at the Dadar kabutar khana on Sunday as the Riot Control Police have been deployed on the spot to ensure any violence does not occur. The step was taken by the Mumbai Police after an incident unfolded on Saturday when a man came with a food grain tray attached on his car's roof to feed the pigeons. During his heated arguments with the local residents, who stopped him from feeding the pigeons, he claimed that 12 more cars with grains tray attached are on the way.
The Shivaji Park Police also registered an FIR against the accused, identified as Mahendra D. Sanklecha (55), a resident of Gazdar Street, Chirabazar, following a complaint by Sandesh Vikram Matkar (57) a junior supervisor from BMC's G-North ward office.
Barricades and Security Reinforced
The Dadar kabutar khana remains covered with bamboos and tarpaulin to prevent pigeon feeding. It is also covered with additional barracucades now. As per local resident and an civic activist Chetan Kamble, on Sunday there were three police vans and one riot control van, along with civic officials were deployed at Dadar kabutar khana. While, police personnel were also deployed outside the Jain temple.
Riot Control Police deployed At Dadar Kabutar Khana | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
BMC and State Government Stand
As of Sunday, the ban on pigeon feeding continues. The Bombay High court last week said that it had not ordered closure of kabutar khanas and it was BMC's decision. It also said that pigeon feeders can take permission from the BMC to start feeding.
While, the BMC later said it started actions towards the closure, like imposing fines after instructions from the state government, and Dadar kabutar khana was covered after directions from HC.
Political Angle Ahead of Civic Polls
The matter has also got politically heated ahead of the civic elections as the Jain community is pressuring the BMC to re-open the kabutar khanas and allow pigeon feeding. The FPJ had reported in its Saturday, August 9 edition that the Jain community has submitted their letter to the BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani asking to open the kabutar khanas in Mumbai and stop actions against the pegion feeders.
Advocate Kamlesh Shah, member of All India Animal Welfare Board said, "The court said if pigeon feeders want, they can seek permission from the BMC. It is BMC who shut down pigeon feeding. It has no option but to reopen it. Our letter has reached the BMC. We expect that on Monday they will allow once their legal department will give clearance or state will give some instructions in lieu of the HC order," Shah added.
The community has been claiming that thousands of pigeons have died out of starvation and thirst since the kabutar khanas are closed. The BJP leaders have expressed confidence that BMC will re-open kabutar kahanas ahead of the BMC elections.
HC Proposes Expert Panel
Meanwhile, the HC has proposed formation of an expert to determine to assess whether kabutar khana posses health risks, especially due to pigeon droppings.
Closure of Kabutar Khanas Across Mumbai
On July 3, after the developments in the legislative council, the BMC had started closure of 51 kabutar khanas across Mumbai citing health hazards, especially the respiratory illnesses due to pigeon droppings and feathers.
