By Admin 
The pigeonkhana located in Dadar area of Mumbai has once again been engulfed in controversies. Following the High Court order, the BMC had put the tarpaulin to cover the pigeonkhana, which was removed by bird lovers associated with the Jain community on Wednesday. This step caused an uproar in the area and the police had to reach the spot to handle the situation.
Ruckus increased due to removing tarpaulin from pigeon
The incident took place on Wednesday morning when some protesters from the Jain community reached the pigeonkhana in Dadar and removed the tarpaulin by BMC. As soon as the tarpaulin was removed, a sharp debate started between the BMC personnel and the common people already present there. Slogans started on seeing this and the police had to come in the middle. At present, heavy police force is deployed in the area.
Jain society gave clarification
After the protest, the patron minister of the suburban district of Mumbai reached Mangal Prabhat Lodha. He described the entire incident as “wrong and condemnable”. Lodha also met the trustees of the Jain temple, who clarified that he had no hand in the performance.
It was said by the Jain community that they respect the law and will wait for the hearing in the High Court on Monday. The community has also quashed the protests that have been already decided.
Religious faith versus health concern
Jain community and bird lovers say that putting granule to pigeons is part of their religious and emotional tradition, which is not right to stop. He believes that the care of pigeons is a virtue, and prohibiting the pouring is to hurt their faith.
On the other hand, experts and High Court have cited health reasons. The court recently said that the beats (beats i.e. stool) of pigeons can cause respiratory diseases and lungs can also deteriorate. Also, by adding grain, dirt spreads, which is harmful for both humans and birds.
Chief Minister indicated a solution
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also taken this issue seriously. He held a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, ministers Ganesh Naik, Girish Mahajan and Mangal Prabhat Lodha and directed BMC to give food to the pigeons in a controlled manner till organizational measures are taken.
At present, the pigeonkhana of Dadar is under the supervision of the police and BMC is also cautious. The matter is to be heard in the High Court on Monday, which everyone’s eyes are on. This hearing will decide what the priority of health reasons should be in front of the religious tradition.