Mumbai Update: Marathi Ekikaran Samiti Announces Grand Protest at Dadar Kabutar Khana on August 13

by Webdesk
12 Aug 2025

Mumbai: The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti has announced a large-scale protest at Dadar Kabutar Khana on Wednesday, August 13, urging authorities to continue enforcing the ban on pigeon feeding and to keep kabutarkhanas permanently closed. This move follows a recent demonstration by members of the Jain community at the same location, where they opposed the closures and defiantly fed pigeons by removing the protective coverings — a direct violation of court orders.

Pramod Parte, representing the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, strongly condemned the actions, saying, “We will not tolerate religious extremism. Under the guise of compassion, pigeon feeders are engaging in unlawful behavior and adopting an anti-government stance. The court has issued its directives, and the BMC is following through with implementation. Despite this, the feeders openly defied the orders, creating a law-and-order situation at Dadar Kabutar Khana. On August 13, we will gather in hundreds, even thousands, to stand against those who disrespect the law and jeopardize public health.”

Parte also mentioned that leaders from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT) are likely to participate in the demonstration. MNS Mumbai President Sandeep Deshpande confirmed his party’s support for the protest. Significantly, it was MNS’s environmental wing that initiated the campaign to shut down the kabutarkhana earlier this year.

According to the protest announcement, the rally’s objective is twofold: to safeguard the health of local residents and to defend the enforcement of legal orders. The Samiti is also demanding that FIRs be filed against those who, on August 6, tore the tarpaulin at Dadar Kabutar Khana and proceeded to feed pigeons in violation of the ban.

This development comes after the Bombay High Court clarified last week that it had not ordered the closure of kabutarkhanas — the decision had been taken by the BMC based on public health concerns. Following this clarification, advocates from the Jain community formally requested that the BMC reopen pigeon feeding spots. As of Monday, however, all kabutarkhanas remain shut. Meanwhile, some BJP MLAs have also been pressing the municipal corporation to restore them.

Dadar civic activist Chetan Kamble criticized the way the matter has been handled, stating, “Last week, certain members of the Jain community demanded that the Kabutar Khana be reopened. Now, on August 13, members of the Marathi community are marching to ensure it stays closed. What should have been a straightforward task — enforcing court rulings and safeguarding public health — has now turned into a community-versus-community spectacle. This is not about Jains versus Marathis; it is about whether laws are applied equally to everyone. While people are split along community lines, those breaking the law carry on without consequences. Mumbai doesn’t need communal squabbles — it needs collective action for cleaner, healthier public spaces.”

Third FIR for pigeon feeding in just over a week

In a related incident, an FIR was lodged in Girgaon against an unidentified person caught feeding pigeons on Monday. The complaint was filed after a video surfaced showing the individual scattering grains at Girgaon Chowpatty. This marks the third FIR in eight days over similar violations.

The earlier cases included one registered at Mahim police station against an unidentified person for feeding pigeons and another at Shivaji Park police station against Lalbaug resident Mahendra Sanclecha, 55. In that case, Sanclecha allegedly arrived at Dadar Kabutar Khana with a food grain tray fixed to the roof of his car, deliberately feeding the pigeons in defiance of the ban.

For now, the stand-off continues — with public health advocates demanding strict enforcement, pigeon feeders challenging the restrictions, and political groups stepping into the fray, ensuring that what began as a civic health measure has escalated into a full-blown political and social confrontation.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

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Mumbai Update: Marathi Ekikaran Samiti Announces Grand Protest at Dadar Kabutar Khana on August 13

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