Maharashtra govt seeks 'way out' after HC orders on elephant relocation, pigeon feeding ban stir protests

Two decisions by the Bombay HC -- on relocating an elephant and a ban on pigeon feeding in Mumbai -- have created a flutter. The two rulings have led to opposition from several groups forcing the Maharashtra government to call for a meeting on Tuesday to find a 'way out'.

"We have called for a meeting to discuss the Nandani and Kabutarkhana issues because these two orders were given by the HC and not by us. However, we have to take into account public sentiments. So, we will try to see what solution can be found. We have done some study on it. We will speak to some people and we will try to find a solution on both the issues," Fadnavis said.

He was referring to the HC rulings -- one on July 16 where the court directed the rehabilitation of a 36-year-old elephant Mahadevi alias Madhuri from the Nandani Jain mutt in Kolhapur to Vantara's Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust at Jamnagar in Gujarat. The second ruling pertained to the July 31 order banning pigeon feeding in Mumbai due to health concerns and asked the police to file FIRs on those still feeding the pigeons.