Catholic groups fume at BMC for damaging crosses, shrines

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Mumbai crosses, shrines demolition

Mumbai crosses, shrines demolitionCATHOLIC groups in Mumbai are angry at the Maharashtra government after a grotto was demolished and a 1936 crucifix was uprooted near Lovelane in the city on March 3.

The Brihanmumbai Corporation (BMC) demolished crucifixes, one at Byculla and another at Dadar as part of a Supreme Court-ordered drive against illegal religious structures obstructing traffic.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had recently apologized for the Byculla crucifix incident.

The cross was taken off on Gokhale Road by civic officials, who were escorted by 100 policemen on March 4.

According to locals, policemen roughed them up before uprooting the cross that has been in the area for at least 100 years. Senior citizens from Gokhale Road prayed at the cross, according to a local.

Archbishop of Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias said Chavan had telephoned him to apologize for hurting the religious sentiments of Christians.

“The CM said he had issued instructions not to demolish it, but unfortunately they did not reach the proper forum,” the archbishop told a local daily.

The structures that are constructed after the year 1964 will be demolished if they are located on land meant for public amenities. However, structures built before 1964 would not be touched.

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