Christians protest BMC plans on church properties in Mumbai

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, June 24, 2016: Some 500 Catholics in Mumbai marched through the city streets and gathered in front of an office of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation protesting the civic body’s proposal to remove a heritage cross and portion of the graveyard for expansion of a road at Poisar in Kandivali area.

Dolphy D’souza from Save our Land (SOUL), one of the organizers said “protest is against the unjust demand” of the BMC to demolish the 450-year-old historic cross as well as  some of the other church property. “We, Christians, are soft targets and so the politicians and BMC officials are exploiting us,” he said.

After gathering in front of the R-South BMC ward office the protestors shouted slogans. A delegation later met officials and presented their demands.

With civic elections scheduled early next year, the community is likely to take up the issue during the polls and their anger could well be reflected in votes.

Alfi Quinny from Poisar village said, “We may be a minority, but collectively, we make up 20 per cent of the electorate and a difference of 500 votes can make or break a candidate.”

Meanwhile Godfrey Pimenta from Watchdog Foundation said the protest “was only a trailer, if the BMC does not back off, we will have an even bigger agitation.”