Mumbai is often referred to as the city of dreams, money, and energy or simply Maximum City. However, as it fails to provide citizens with basic needs such as walkable footpaths, clean air, civic amenities, healthcare, safety, and space, the service and dignity of the city remain at a Bare Minimum. For netas, vote bank politics comes first, and Mumbaikars’ concerns are always pushed to the back-burner.

Take the latest controversy of pigeon feeding. In the first week of July, the state government announced a ban on feeding pigeons. Within a month, after uproar from a certain community, its stance changed. Many in political corridors call it appeasement politics towards certain religious groups, as they strongly back a particular political party.

Doctors and experts have warned of health risks posed by large gatherings of pigeons, and the Bombay High Court, too, is unwilling to quash the civic body’s ban on feeding pigeons in public places, as studies and research suggest that pigeon droppings lead to respiratory illnesses. Yet, political leaders from the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, instead of taking a firm stand, are now scrambling to find an amicable solution to the issue.