A day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) covered Dadar’s iconic kabutarkhana with tarpaulin sheets, members of the Jain community staged a peaceful protest by employing seven labourers to rescue pigeons being killed by traffic outside Dadar station.
 
The labourers, carrying sticks, patrolled the periphery of kabutarkhana, halting cars and BEST buses to save pigeons from being run over. The community also approached Dadar police station to file a complaint against the BMC, demanding that the civic body take responsibility for the traffic chaos and pigeon deaths caused by its decision.

The kabutarkhana at Dadar covered with tarpaulin sheets by BMC. Pics/Shadab Khan

Simultaneously, BMC deployed its staff at the site to fine those feeding pigeons, while five to six Mumbai police personnel were stationed. “The temple trust has hired us to be here from 6 am to 7 pm every day this week. We’re picking up dead pigeons and urging the live ones away from the road. I’ve lifted five dead birds today,” said Bunty, a labourer employed by the temple trust.