Christians protest after 100 yr old cross damaged

It was only the timely interference by Christians in Mumbai that saved a heritage cross from being fully wrecked.

A Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) official last week caused damage to a 100-year-old cross near Bandra Talao to appease a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) builder.

The statue of Christ atop was cracked and base of the crucifix was damaged.

The Bombay Catholic Sabha in a press release condemned the act and said, it "is very upset and angry at the unwarranted attempts" to demolish the heritage cross.

If the locals and the Christians have not intervened in time, this more than 100 years old cross would have been demolished. However in the process the said Cross has been damaged, the release said.

Christians gathered demanded action against the BMC official who was questioned by local MLA Baba Siddique and MP Priya Dutt.

Activist Nicholas Almeida said, "We will file a contempt petition. There is a stay from the high court for 40 crosses in Bandra. The status quo should be maintained till the case is disposed of."

Prakash George, senior police inspector, Bandra police station, said, "A complaint has been filed against Kumbhare. But we were told that the BCM official was only shifting the cross from one place to another and had no plans to demolish it."

The assistant municipal commissioner SR Murgunkar stated that no orders were issued to demolish the cross.