Mumbai: The cross located on D’ Monte Street near Bazaar Road in Bandra (West) was demolished by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday morning following the orders of the high court to demolish all the illegal religious structures. This symbol of Christianity was built on a private land adjoining a house in that area and was installed about a century ago.
In Bandra West 38 illegal structures have been identified which includes 32 temples and 6 crosses. A meeting was called by the BMC, all the representatives of all the religions were summoned and the court order was explained and requested everyone to remove all the illegal structures. Later the Bombay Catholic Sabha met the Assistant municipal commissioner (H-West) Sharad Ughade and provided valid documents and evidences of the cross being a legal structure. In-spite of all the proofs and evidences the BMC carried out the demolition of the cross. A group of police men came early in the morning and demolished the cross by 11.30 am on Saturday. The police force faced a lot of oppositions from the locals but the mob was controlled by the police officials.
After the demolition of the cross a small prayer service was held by the people of the Christian community. Many localites participated in the prayer service showing solidarity towards this act. A temporary cross put up by the believers now stands in the place of the old demolished cross.
Source:www.dnaindia.com and www.business-standard.com
