Spiritual Leader to Protest Pigeon Feeding Ban

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-08-13 06:38:15 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-13 21:49:11

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A Jain monk in Mumbai is set to begin an indefinite hunger strike in protest of the city's ban on public pigeon feeding and the closure of kabutarkhanas, igniting a divisive debate at the intersection of spirituality, animal rights, and public health.

The monk, who belongs to the Parshwanath Jain Tirth Trust, has garnered attention for his activism centered around protecting pigeon feeding and preserving kabutarkhanas, a traditional Jain community pigeon shelter. The monk has become a vocal advocate for the rights of pigeons and has been feeding the birds in Mumbai's Ranjit Nagar area for decades. However, the city's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently implemented a ban on public pigeon feeding and ordered the closure of kabutarkhanas due to hygiene and health concerns, such as the risk of bird flu and other diseases.

The decision has sparked a heated debate among residents and animal welfare advocates, who argue that the move undermines their religious freedom and the welfare of the birds. They claim that the pigeons play a vital role in their spiritual practice and that the kabutarkhanas provide a safe haven for the birds. The monk, in particular, has garnered admiration and criticism for his unwavering commitment to the cause, which now culminates in a call for indefinite hunger strike. The strike is set to begin today, with the monk hoping to pressure the BMC to reconsider its decision.

As the monk's protest captures the public's attention, it brings attention to the balance between animal advocacy, religious freedom, and public health. The clash of these perspectives highlights a growing tension between emotional and spiritual connections to animals and the practical considerations of urban wildlife management.

The protest and the public's response to it are a testament to how deeply the issue resonates with people and the complexities of navigating spiritual practice, animal welfare, and public health in an urban environment.

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