‘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 began an indefinite hunger strike on Monday (November 3, 2025) at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, demanding the restoration of 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 “appropriate action will be taken”. 

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

“The purpose of this fast was to awaken the conscience of the Government and civic authorities towards the protection of temples, animals, birds, and the environment, which today face neglect, misinformation, and cruelty,” the monk Nileshchandra Vijay said before ending the fast, adding that the BMC’s suggested four spots are just a “lollipop” to appease the Jain community.

After the Bombay HC order, the BMC recently allowed controlled feeding of pigeons at four locations — Worli Reservoir, the mangrove area on Lokhandwala Back Road in Andheri West, the Airoli-Mulund check post area, and Gorai ground in Borivali West.

The timings will be between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., with responsibility of non-governmental organisations to manage the sites.

Jain monks did not approve of these alternate sites, as these are as far as 4, 5 and even 9 kilometres away. “Will a pigeon fly so far? Their flying radius is within 1 or 2 km of the existing Kabutarkhana,” monk Nileshchandra said.

The other demands include, publication of any existing government or municipal policy banning pigeon or bird feeding or issue immediate clarification that feeding is not prohibited, regular sanitation programme at feeding areas by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), immediate medical and veterinary attention for injured or dehydrated stray animals, and birds, protection of cow and all milch and farm animals, 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, with the Bombay HC directing BMC to close down Dadar Kabutarkhana, a pigeon feeding spot. The issue was first raised by Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande in the Maharashtra legislative council on July 3. Later, on opposition from the Jain community, the Bombay HC formed an expert committee to find alternatives. To which BMC came up with a controlled feeding solution. However, the representatives of the Jain community expressed dissatisfaction and said, “they have no trust in the committee”. 

“BMC claims 65% of droppings and feathers are a health hazard. Prove first that this is because of pigeons. BMC to produce the data from where they got this report. BMC wants to come with the poultry house, which is the most hazardous source of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Those cars go around the city; they don’t want to stop. We have RTI report, where the government hospital replied that out of 52000 cases, only two are exposed to pigeons,” said Sneha Visaria, one of the petitioners in the case.