By L A Adithya
Nileshchandra Vijay, a Jain monk, has threatened to erupt a hunger strike on the 13th of August amidst the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) decision to ban pigeon-feeding and the closure of Dadar Kabutarkhana, traditionally a pigeon-feeding area.
Stern to his beliefs, he claimed that the Jain community would take up arms for their religion if need be, demanding that they be allowed to feed the pigeons in the area. He further proclaimed that more than 10 lakh Jains from all over the country would join the protest and that their community would defy or challenge court orders should they halt or restrict their religious practices, according to PTI.
Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the Maharashtra Skill Development Minister, expressed his disagreement with the monk’s comments albeit being supportive of saving Kabutarkhanas.
The BMC had covered the pigeon-feeding area with a tarpaulin on August 6, citing health concerns due to over-exposure to pigeons and to discourage the practice further on. This stirred up a protest by the locals, which led to the tearing down of the tarpaulin cover by the protestors. The area was again covered with silver plastic sheets by the BMC on August 10, and security and marshals were also upped considerably to counter further meltdowns.
“The ban targets Jain traditions. The move is politically motivated with elections in mind,” he further added, iterating that his religion teaches one to help all living beings, “from elephants to ants.” Mr.Vijay has moved to the forefront and stepped up to tackle and challenge the BMC’s decision.
The civic body’s decision was challenged in the Bombay high Court by the people who feed the pigeons. The HC stressed that human lives are of paramount importance and retracted from staying the closure order of the BMC despite not having ordered the closure of Dadar Kabutarkhana.
An expert committee is directed to study the underlying situation as to whether or not Mumbai’s Kabutarkhanas should continue to exist.