Mumbai: Protest rally organised by locals of Dhanurkar Wadi, Kandivli west

By Dolphy D’Souza
Pics by Lennon Miranda
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, 24 oct 2012: At the well attended Rally held on Sunday Oct. 21, Parishioners  of O.L. of Assumption Church, Dhanurkar Wadi, Kandivli west, staunchly opposed and demanded the withdrawal of  the land acquisition notice served on them for widening the Poisar Nalla/ River adjoining their premises.  Parents of children studying at St. Joseph’s High School, and people from the region showed their support by applauding speaker after speaker who spoke on how injustice is being done to the more than 150 year old institution which is a heritage precinct.

Mr. Lennon Miranda a local youth leader  gave a power point presentation of the chronology of the issue prepared by the Committee formed to deal with the situation.  Mr. Gordon D’Souza President of the Bombay Catholic Sabha projected how gross injustice was being done as there was a demand to take .5 m to 4 m of land from the premises right from the cemetery and playground and the space behind the church. Not only that but the plan prepared by the  Executive Engineer SWD includes an access road of 6 m within the premises for access the cleaning and maintaining of the nallah. This would take away some portion of the church and school building and take away the privacy of the institution. He demanded why the access road to the nallah was not planned from the other side where presently new constructions are coming up.

Mr. Dolphy D’Souza immediate past president of the Bombay Catholic Sabha said that the community is always considered a soft target but in this case we will not take this lying down and we will  mobilise people from all Mumbai to  see that injustice is not done to the institution.

 

Fr. Gerald Fernandes parish priest expressed concern at the situation and was worried at the turn of events. He said that the church has already given land in the past without claiming any compensation but giving away land from the already depleted premises would affect the people very badly as the cemetery, the school playground and place behind the church was involved which would compromise the security of the institution.  Surrendering of the burial place would grievously hurt the sentiments of the parishioners as they contain the relics of their ancestors. He appealed to the elected representatives and the concerned  BMC officials who were present at the meeting to  withdraw the acquisition notice.

Mr. Sanjay Nirupam the local M P assured the gathering that the more than 150 year old institution  was a heritage precinct  and he would see that not even an inch of land would be taken away.Sr. Fatima Fernandes Head Teacher of the Secondary Section of the St. Joseph’s High School which  is on the premises said that the authorities should explore the option of cleaning and deepening the nallah which is badly littered and the main cause of the clogging. 

Mrs. Fatima Pereira Head Teacher of the Primary Section lamented that the school ground was already small and if it was further reduced in size, it would leave not enough space for children to play. Dr. Mrs. Geeta Yadav Corporator and Chairperson of the R South Ward Committee assured that she would take up the matter with the concerned authorities and do her best to prevent any space being taken from the institution. 

Mrs Parul Mehta Nominated Corporator to the MCGM said what has happened is unfortunate and she would see  that no injustice is done to the institution. Mr. Sanjay Nirupam announced that there would be a site inspection by the Deputy Municipal Commissioner on Monday Oct. 22, 2012 at 3 pm and he would also be present to see how the issue could be sorted out.

The Parishioners of O.L. of Assumption Church will work in collaboration with the Bombay Catholic Sabha will work on the next course of agitation if the matter is not resolved soon.