Will take up arms if needed: Jain community plans hunger strike against Dadar kabutarkhana closure

New Delhi: After the Supreme Court upheld a Bombay high court order banning the feeding of pigeons near the kabutarkhana (pigeon house) in Dadar and directing the BMC to take legal action against violators, the Jain community has threatened to launch a hunger strike from August 13 against the decision to shut down the kabutarkhana. Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay has even warned that the community could take up arms if necessary.

"The Jain community is peaceful, but if needed, we will take up arms for our religion," he added.

He said the matter is still in court and that pigeons should not be allowed to die. He alleged that the government's order to stop feeding pigeons is politically motivated, keeping elections in mind. After the conclusion of the Paryushan festival, they will decide the next course of action, but they will not remain silent for now.

From Wednesday, they will begin their hunger strike, with Jain community members from across the country participating in the protest. "Life is at the core of our religion, so why is Jainism being targeted?" he asked, adding that not just he but around 1 million Jains from across the country will join the hunger strike.

Vijay also said that it should be shown how many people die from consuming alcohol and chicken. He stated that they have requested permission from the municipal corporation to feed the pigeons, as their religion teaches that no living being, from an ant to an elephant, should be allowed to die.

Meanwhile, the politics over the kabutarkhana issue in the state shows no sign of ending. Following the Jain community, the Marathi community is also preparing to take out a march and protest. The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti has announced an agitation on the Dadar kabutarkhana issue, stating that the facility has been shut down and must remain closed permanently.

The committee has accused some people of breaking the law, manhandling the police, bringing weapons such as knives, and damaging public property.

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According to the committee, such people are in contempt of court, endangering public health, and forcibly trying to restart the kabutarkhana. The organization has warned that they will submit a memorandum to the government demanding action against all these individuals.

The committee has made it clear that if such protests or obstacles continue, they too will organize a march with thousands of people. A large gathering of local Marathi residents will be held at 10am on August 13 at the Dadar kabutarkhana, from where a petition will be submitted to the government.