Former minister Maneka Gandhi has stepped in support of .mal feeders who are being allegedly harrased for feeding stray .mals in Breach Candy by a local resident. .mal lovers wrote to Gandhi after the Gamdevi police issued a notice to an .mal feeder asking him to prevent gathering at the location alleging breach of public peace.
.mal feeders and activists in the Breach Candy locality of Malabar Hill have alleged that a local resident along with Gavdevi police have been harassing feeders who are providing daily food to hundreds of stray .mals in the areas of Yes Bank, Akruti Building and Sagar Villa. The activists have alleged that instead of acting against the local resident who is harassing the feeders, the police have issued a preventive notice to an activist who had actually complained for harassment.
On Monday, the Gavdevi police station issued a notice to Siddesh Poman (30), an .mal activist, accusing him of gathering in the vicinity of food tankers meant for Mahalaxmi Fair. It also alleged that such gatherings may lead to disputes and disturbances, thereby warning him to refrain from any actions that may result in breach of public peace.
Following the police’ action, the activists had reached out to former minister and renowned .mal rights activist Maneka Gandhi seeking her help in the case. In a letter, activists have claimed that around 20 feeders have been providing food to over 400 cats, 50 dogs and other birds in the locality. They also accused a local lady of harassing the feeders from past one years.
The activists alleged that the lady had deputed bouncers to assault, manhandle and threaten the feeders because they feed chicken to the .mals. The letter also alleged that the lady claims to have backing from local political leaders and therefore the police are acting under pressure from her.
Following the complaint, Gandhi spoke to the inspector in-charge of Gavdevi police station and directed the police to arrange a meeting in presence of officers from the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to .mals (SPCA).
“I called the police and complained about the harassment faced by the feeders from the lady. Instead of acting against the lady, I was held and taken to the police station and was interrogated by the police. They even registered a non cognisable offence against me. We are fighting this cause so that other people do not follow this lady’s way of harassing feeders,” said Poman.
