I am ashamed of BMC action, says Archbishop Oswald Gracias

At least 300 people gathered at the Cross Maidan on Friday to protest against BMC’s action of demolishing three crosses. Upset protestors carried a cross that was demolished along with seven temples at Gokhale Road in Dadar.

Archbishop Oswald Gracias said: “I am ashamed of what the civic authorities have done. You (BMC) are employees, and people are sovereign in this democratic country. You cannot decide things like this and take action. This is not the city I grew up in. India is a religious country and we respect all religions. I would have been equally pained if a temple or mosque was to be demolished.”

“We demolished one cross and seven temples as there was proof of them being there prior to 1964. We had given them the time but they did not have any proof,” said DVS Jain, assistant commissioner  G/North ward.  

“We are not against development. We are law abiding citizens and would have moved them. But what has happened has hurt us. The chief minister called to apologise. He said that his instructions did not reach the right forum on time. But while he said so, there was news coming from Dadar that another cross was being demolished. I saw the cross at the Haati Baug and it was not obstructing any traffic. We could have sought judicial action for redressal,” Gracias added.

The municipal commissioner could not be reached for his take on the matter.