Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Photos / IN PHOTOS: Jain monk protests, sits on fast at Mumbai's Azad Maidan over Dadar Kabutarkhana closure

IN PHOTOS: Jain monk protests, sits on fast at Mumbai's Azad Maidan over Dadar Kabutarkhana closure

Updated On: 03 November, 2025 06:33 PM IST | Asif Ali Sayed

Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay began a protest at Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Monday, opposing BMC's decision to shut down Dadar Kabutarkhana, a site where the community members have traditionally fed pigeons. Pics/Satej Shinde

  • WhatsApp
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
Speaking to the reporters, the monk said that he intended to stage an indefinite fast to demand restoration of the Kabutarkhana. Pics/Satej Shinde

1/8

Speaking to the reporters, the monk said that he intended to stage an indefinite fast to demand restoration of the Kabutarkhana. Pics/Satej Shinde
The BMC, in a recent move, 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

2/8

The BMC, in a recent move, 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

According to the BMC, feeding will be permitted only between 7 am and 9 am, and non-governmental organisations will be responsible for managing these sites

3/8

According to the BMC, feeding will be permitted only between 7 am and 9 am, and non-governmental organisations will be responsible for managing these sites

During the monk's protest, Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha visited Azad Maidan and spoke to Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay

4/8

During the monk's protest, Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha visited Azad Maidan and spoke to Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay

The civic body has clarified that this is a temporary arrangement until the expert committee's report and court orders are received, and that closed Kabutarkhanas will not be reopened for now

5/8

The civic body has clarified that this is a temporary arrangement until the expert committee's report and court orders are received, and that closed Kabutarkhanas will not be reopened for now

"The alternate sites given by the BMC are as far as 4, 5 and even 9 kilometres away. Will a pigeon fly so far? The administration should have given a site within 2 km of the existing Kabutarkhana," the Jain monk said, reported the PTI

6/8

"The alternate sites given by the BMC are as far as 4, 5 and even 9 kilometres away. Will a pigeon fly so far? The administration should have given a site within 2 km of the existing Kabutarkhana," the Jain monk said, reported the PTI

On Monday evening, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly speaker and BJP leader Rahul Narwekar reached Azad Maidan to meet Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay

7/8

On Monday evening, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly speaker and BJP leader Rahul Narwekar reached Azad Maidan to meet Jain monk Nileshchandra Vijay

After meeting Narvekar, the monk ended his fast

8/8

After meeting Narvekar, the monk ended his fast

Tags

Photo of Day

Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

PM Narendra Modi joins hands with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and others during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, in New Delhi. PIC/PTI

Advertisement