Mumbai Christians held Silent Protest against Demolishing of Cross
Mangaluru: Catholic Associations in Mumbai, along with residents of posh locality Bandra, held silent protests on Wednesday outside the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation or BMC office in Bandra West. Over 300 people had gathered to agitate against the civic body after it demolished a 122-year-old Holy Cross that was allegedly situated on private land in Bandra West. Protesters held up banners that read “Shame on the BMC” ;“We seek justice”; “Why demolish Holy Cross.” and “We need justice” to get their point across.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean over the phone, Dolphy D’Souza-the Former President of the Bombay Catholic Sabha; Former National Vice-President- All India Catholic Union; and spokesperson for SOUL-Save Our Land, and also convener of Police Reforms Watch said, “It’s a known fact that the D’monte Cross is an age old cross and is over 100 years old, it’s not a new cross which has been recently built. So that’s why the people are really hurt by what they have done, it could be done in a better way, they could have called the people and could have told them that this is the problem. Moreover that the land where the cross was situated was private property and despite pointing this out to the BMC, the civic body went ahead with the demolition. We have given them sufficient and all the relevant papers, proving it to them that this cross is on private property and they still came and demolished this cross on Saturday. After conducting meetings with BMC officials, we have now decided to move the High Court to pursue the matter further.”
Cross erected once again by Anil Joseph, Rudy, Neil Pereira and other residents of the area: Pics by Sanjay D’Souza, Mumbai
The demolition drive was conducted by the BMC last Saturday in accordance with the Bombay High Court order that directed the civic body to remove unauthorised religious structures. In its statement, the BMC wrote, “These illegal structures were finalised after receiving reservation/notices by public. All relevant documents related to these illegal structures are with the BMC. Municipal Commissioner is going to see the documents of such illegal structures against which people have an objection. After examining the documents, he will take necessary action. If anyone wants to approach the court, the BMC will give the concerned papers related to these illegal religious structures”.
This move stirred up protests and sharp response from the Christian community. The Bombay Catholic Sabha termed the removal of the cross as an “insult” to the community. The Bombay High Court had recently asked the BMC for the removal of about 32 temples and six crosses from H-west ward, which falls under ‘B’ Category.
