‘Demands to be discussed with CM within 15 days’: Jain monk ends indefinite fast over pigeon feeding issue in Mumbai

Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay, who went on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Monday, November 3, 2025, demanding restoration of the Dadar pigeon shelter (Kabutarkhana) and other demands, ended the protest after Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar assured a discussion on solutions within 15 days.

The leaders told him that all issues and demands would be discussed with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and “necessary steps would be taken”.

Mr. Lodha said, “I have requested him to end the protest as this government is also for the Jain community and will always do good to the society. Many organizations are working against the government and Muniji should be protective. We have to wait for the Bombay HC to take a decision. But the issue will be discussed with the CM.”

Before ending the fast, Monk Nileshchandra Vijay said: “The purpose of this fast was to awaken the conscience of the Government and civil authorities regarding the protection of temples, animals, birds and the environment, which today face neglect, misinformation and cruelty.” he said, adding that the four points suggested by the BMC were just a “lollipop” to appease the Jain community.

Following the Bombay HC order, the BMC recently allowed controlled feeding of pigeons at four places: Worli Reservoir, mangrove area on Lokhandwala Back Road in Andheri West, Airoli-Mulund checkpoint area and Gorai ground in Borivali West.

Timings will be between 7 am and 9 pm and management of these areas will be the responsibility of non-governmental organisations.

Jain monks did not approve of these alternative sites because they were 4, 5 or even 9 kilometers away. Monk Nileshchandra said, “Can a pigeon fly this far? Their flight radius is within 1 or 2 km of the present Kabutarkhana.”

Other demands include publication of any existing government or municipal policy prohibiting feeding of pigeons or birds or immediate clarification that feeding is not prohibited, regular cleaning program of feeding grounds by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), immediate medical and veterinary attention for injured or dehydrated stray animals and birds, protection of cows and all dairy and livestock, and declaration of all ancient temples and sanctuaries as Heritage Sites.

The issue of human deaths due to exposure to pigeon droppings surfaced in July when the Bombay HC directed the BMC to close the pigeon feeding point Dadar Kabutarkhana. The issue was first raised by Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande in the Maharashtra legislative council on July 3. Later, following opposition from the Jain community, the Bombay HC formed an expert committee to find alternatives. BMC has developed a controlled feeding solution for this. However, representatives of the Jain community expressed their dissatisfaction and said they “did not trust the committee”.

“BMC claims that 65 per cent of feces and feathers pose health hazards. First prove that it is due to pigeons. Let BMC produce the data from which it gets this report. BMC wants to come up with the coop, which is the most dangerous source of hypersensitivity pneumonia. These cars are plying around the city, they do not want to stop. We have the RTI report, the government hospital said that out of 52,000 cases, only two were exposed to pigeons.” said Sneha Visaria, one of the petitioners in the case.