Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed the University of Mumbai (MU) to ensure that animal lovers and voluntary organisations are not prevented from feeding stray dogs on the Kalina campus. The directive was issued after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) raised concern over restrictions imposed by university authorities on the entry of dog feeders’ groups.
He also sought an inquiry against officials responsible for preventing volunteers from entering the campus. As reported by HT on September 7, around 80-85 stray dogs residing in the university’s 280-acre Vidyanagari campus were reportedly left without regular food after university security personnel denied entry to animal lovers and dog feeding groups, starting August 25. On September 6, Nitin Nanavare, secretary of the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (Manvise), wrote to the BMC and the university administration, demanding that the restrictions be withdrawn. The BMC has also convened an all-party meeting on September 16 to discuss the matter, according to a letter sent by the assistant general manager of the animal health department to the MU Vice-Chancellor.
The volunteers used to feed the dogs twice a day, according to activists. Taking note of the complaint, the BMC’s animal health department on Wednesday directed the university not to prevent people from entering the campus for the purpose of feeding stray dogs.
