Christians in Mumbai are protesting against the demolition of crosses by the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) that were built by their ancestors and are over a hundred years old. They say that the demolition is done without any prior notice being given to them or without any documentation or court orders. They further say that the present ruling party politicians and the government is just harassing them as they want to wipe out Christianity permanently from the country.
Local residents suspect that the authorities are doing this in connivance with the police to claim land for property developers because land is a premium commodity in the city. Christians are just 2 per cent of the 14 million people in the city of Mumbai according to a recent government census. Despite being a minority community, Christians, majority of them Catholics, are well acknowledged because of the reputed schools, colleges and medical facilities they run.
The government has been pushing pro-Hindu policies to the people of the country and two years back it has even banned the consumption of beef making it an offence punishable by a five- year jail term. By demolishing crosses and other Christian structures, our faith in Jesus Christ will not diminish; instead it will only increase.
Just because we Christians are peace loving people, the government and the present day ruling party politicians have been taking an upper hand of us.
Jubel D'Cruz,
Mumbai, India
