Amid Growing Concerns, Centre Engages with Jain Groups; Focus Shifts to Meaningful Outreach and Conflict Resolution

Source: The Times Of India

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s decision to shut down the Kabutarkhana at Dadar as part of a cleanliness and public health drive has stirred strong reactions from the Jain community, placing their religious customs and cultural practices in the spotlight. For the Jain community, feeding pigeons isn’t just a tradition — it is a deeply spiritual and religious act rooted in the principle of jeev daya, or compassion towards all living beings. While BMC justified its decision citing environmental issues and health hazards, members of the Jain community have urged the government to take a more inclusive and consultative route instead of imposing blanket bans.

Prominent Jain monk Yugbhushansuriji openly questioned the basis for halting pigeon feeding. He emphasized that showing kindness to birds and animals is not only a moral but also a constitutional duty of Indian citizens. According to him, a complete ban on such a practice seems rushed and unjustified.

Sneha Visaria, trustee of the Just Smile Charitable Trust, which has filed a plea in the Bombay High Court challenging the BMC’s action, voiced serious concerns. She warned that many pigeons are now facing starvation, and vendors who supply bird feed have reported distressing scenes of birds in suffering.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region is home to roughly 14 lakh Jains, with nearly 60 lakh across Maharashtra, said Lalit Gandhi, the chairman of the Jain Minority Development and Financial Corporation. The state had established this body just before the last Assembly elections. Gandhi highlighted the community’s long-standing commitment to ahimsa (non-violence) and animal welfare, stating, “Our service is not limited to birds; we run gaushalas (cow shelters) and protect animals of all kinds — a tradition we've upheld for generations.”

Political insiders believe that the Jain community’s perceived support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is one of the reasons the government is keen on resolving the matter quickly. “In key constituencies like Borivali and Malabar Hill, the Jain population plays an influential role in determining electoral outcomes. Both regions are known as BJP bastions,” said a party source.