Mumbai Good Friday service to go as planned

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has intervened to allow Christians to hold Good Friday prayer meet at the August Kranti Maidan.

The state government had earlier denied permission for Christians to hold the service citing a high court order that disallowed religious functions on public grounds.

The Saint Stephen's Catholic Church on Cumballa Hill has been holding the prayer service at the historic ground for the last 55 years.

The issue was taken up by Christian groups, including the Catholic Secular Forum (CSF), the Association of Concerned Christians (ACC) and the Mumbai Catholic Sabha.

A delegation led by Fr Fernandes earlier this week met with Chief Minister Chavan and submitted a memorandum expressing strong exception to the government's refusal to grant permission.

"Until last year we had received permission and had been holding the services at the Maidan," said CSF general secretary, Joseph Dias.

"In view of an amicable solution being evolved, the CSF has called off its protests. The denial of permission had hurt the religious sentiments of the community. It is a clear violation of our fundamental rights and an encroachment on the freedom of religion," expressed Dias.

The decision not to permit Christians from holding the annual prayer meet was taken by state cultural secretary Anand Kulkarni. He had refused permission in view that the "grounds must be only used for sports purposes''.

According to Fr Fernandes, more than 3,000 Christians attend the Good Friday meet each year.

"The entire community was upset when we were denied permission and asked to find another location, less than a week before the service," he said.