Jain Community Urges BMC for Pigeon Feeding Alternatives

The struggling pigeon feeding tradition among Mumbai's Jain community took center stage on Tuesday when a dedicated delegation requested the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to consider new sites for controlled pigeon feeding across the city. This plea follows intense debates sparked earlier in the year when the BMC decided to shut down a well-known 'Kabutarkhana' in the Dadar area, citing health risks—a move that faced staunch opposition from various Jain groups.

During a meeting at the civic headquarters, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani reassured the delegation of the BMC's commitment to scoping out potential new locations for pigeon feeding. These efforts are in response to directions from the judiciary, with the issue still active in court proceedings. The BMC plans to present its findings and proposed solutions to the judiciary for consideration.

This development comes after comprehensive closures of Kabutarkhanas citywide, in compliance with court orders. The civic body has since opened a forum for objections and suggestions from the public. The delegation included prominent community members such as Nitin Vohra, Mukesh Jain, Atul Shah, and Vijay Jain, as well as representatives from the Adhyatma Parivar, part of the Mumbai Jain Sangh.