After ban on feeding pigeons at Mys Palace, activists offer grains symbolically

Mysuru: Offering grains to pigeons in front of the North Gate (Balarama Gate) of the Mysuru Palace has led to a row with activists opposing it on Tuesday. This comes a day after the ban on offering grains to pigeons was implemented on Monday, which left the birds without grains.
A group of activists led by historian PV Nanjaraj Urs held a protest in front of the Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple, demanding the authorities allow the public to offer grains to the birds.They offered grains symbolically at the spot. The police and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) officials convinced the agitators to wait for a few days for a decision in this regard.
Meanwhile, activists decided to meet MCC officials on Wednesday, seeking a copy of the written order banning the offering of grains to pigeons or permission to continue offering grains. They decided to move to the high court on the ban order. "We are waiting for a written order on the ban by the MCC. We will move to the high court with a PIL," said Urs.
The activists, including Urs, Bhanu Mohan, and others, arrived near the temple in the morning with grains. The police and the MCC officials tried to convince them not to offer grains, citing oral orders they received from civic agencies banning the offering of grains to the pigeons.
However, activists urged the authorities to allow them to offer grains as there is no written order. They alleged that the pigeons are targeted unnecessarily in the name of heritage conservation. "Why are pigeons targeted suddenly?: questioned Urs, adding, "there is no scientific proof to prove that pigeon droppings cause problems for the heritage buildings." A lot of heritage structures which are being damaged by humans need to be conserved first, he said.
Activists left the venue after offering grains symbolically to the pigeons.