Mumbai: Graves vandalised at St Michael’s Church in Mahim

Eighteen tombstones and crosses vandalised at the cemetery attached to St Michael’s Church, Mahim

Eighteen tombstones and crosses were vandalised at a cemetery attached to St Michael's Church, Mahim, early on Saturday morning, enraging the Catholic community. The incident comes close on the heels of a notice being issued by the BMC to demolish a part of St Peter's Seaside cemetery for a road widening project in Bandra West.

The accused was captured on the CCTV cameras of the church. According to church authorities, the accused, who appears to be in his 30s, had attended the 6 am mass at the church. As soon as the prayer service began, he left the church and went straight to the cemetery, where he desecrated the crosses and tombstones. He fled soon after.

Speaking with mid-day, Fr Bernard Lancy Pinto, parish priest of St Michael's Church, said, "The incident is sad and shocking. We have registered an FIR at the Mahim police station and investigations have begun. The police have assured us that they will arrest the person concerned and take appropriate legal action. Investigation is also being conducted to check for any security lapse. We hope and pray that the situation is resolved at the earliest."

The accused captured on CCTV camera during the prayer service

According to Fr Pinto, based on the footage retrieved from the CCTV cameras, it appears that the accused didn't have any intention to commit a theft. "He only wanted to demolish the crosses. We want to know why he committed this crime. It has hurt the religious sentiment of all Catholics. This is not acceptable and the police should arrest him as soon as possible," said the priest.

Also Read: Mumbai: BMC withdraws Bandra cemetery demolition notice

The Bombay Catholic Sabha has condemned the incident and demanded strict police action. "We urge full protection to our churches and graveyards in Mumbai," said Dolphy D'Souza, president of the organisation.

Clyde Crasto, national spokesperson of the NCP said the vandalism "seems like a deliberate attempt to pressurise and disturb the peace-loving Catholic community in Mumbai". "That this incident has happened immediately after the temporary withdrawal of land acquisition notice to St Peter's Church, Bandra, raises many doubts. The CM and deputy CM of Maharashtra and the Mumbai Police must take immediate cognisance of this issue."

Similar sentiments were echoed by Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of Watchdog Foundation NGO. "Despite the city having two police commissioners, nobody has been arrested yet. We suspect political involvement. Symbols of Christianity are being attacked time and again. In the past, we have made a number of appeals to the Mumbai Police to increase the patrolling in and around religious sites. We repeat and reiterate our demand that the state government install CCTV cameras at all places of worship on priority."

When contacted, Senior Inspector Pravin Kadam of Mahim police station said, "We have registered an FIR against unknown persons. Search is on for the accused."

Not the first time

December 15, 2013: Residents of Vile Parle West noticed that a Holy Cross situated at LIC Building Compound was vandalised by some unknown miscreants

July 14, 2014: The same cross was vandalised again

September 4, 2016: A cross in Juhu was found desecrated. Locals also reported a case of gold theft at Juhu Koliwada's Mother Mary statue

January 27, 2017: A cross on Carter Road, Bandra West was found damaged

April 12, 2017: A cross was damaged at Gaothan Lane, in Santa Cruz West

March 5, 2018: A cross was found broken near Indu Mills, Dadar West