Report and pics from Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD)

Mumbai, Mar 16: Mass protest rally 'Chalo Azad Maidan' was held in the metro, at 3.00 p m on Saturday March 15, by Bombay Catholic Sabha, in association with several other organizations. The rally was held to oppose the government move to scrap the proposed Gorai Uttan Special Economic Zone, give up proposed acquisition of Our Lady of Help Church, Sahar and surrounding areas and stop attacks on minorities across the nation.

The speakers, Shailesh Gandhi, RTI activist, Bishop Bosco Penha, Auxilliary Bishop of Mumbai, Ulka Mahajan, NAPM, Fr Francis D'Britto, alleged that it's a crime to be a Christian and be treated worse than criminals, beaten and hounded from their own home and churches vandalized and destroyed. 

Other speakers, Dolphy D'Souza, president of Bombay Catholic Sabha, Lawrence D'Souza, president of Indian Catholic Union, Maharastra, Nicholas Almeida, chairman of St John Baptist Save Church Committee and others, unilaterally condemned human rights violations of every kind, whether they are in the name of religion, caste, creed, language or religion.  They stated that all are equal in the eyes of law.

Large crowd of protesters rallied in Azad Maidan, to press the state administration for their various issues which echoed the spirit of historical freedom struggle during the pre-Independence era.

Lawrence D'Souza, president of All India Catholic Union Maharastra, Godfrey Primenta, president of Sahar Citizens Forum, Joseph Gonsalves, president of Dharavi Booth Bachao Committee, Nicholas D'Almeida, president of Save St John the baptist Committee, Vivian S'Souza, vice-president of Bombay East India Association including large number of protesters of various Christian organisations of metro were present.