Church organises community to protest for injustice

The Peirerawadi controversy has prompted the Mount Carmel Parish to play an active role in resolving public issues of their locality.

Meeting held on June 22 at Mt Carmel Church that led to the formation of the civic and political cell

A civic and political cell has been formed to organise the local residents who have been denied their rights, besides building pressure on government agencies on the issue of misuse of open spaces and illogical developments.

Father Warner D'souza of the Mount Carmel Church said, "By and large Catholics are considered to be a non-violent community and keep themselves aloof of public issues.

However, after attending the protest meeting organised in support of the residents of Peirerawadi, I like many, felt outraged that the government was trampling on the rights of the citizens."

Fr Warner further informed, "At the solidarity meeting organised by the Parish for the Peirerawadi residents, we decided to undertake a signature campaign and also managed to raise Rs 5.37 lakh for the residents whose rooms were demolished. The response prompted us to take this movement forward by forming a civic and political group."

There are around 8000 parishioners in the Mt Carmel Parish, but the new forum will take up issues, irrespective of caste or religion. Speaking about the forum, Fr Warner said, "We have not yet named the forum, but it will take steps to raise the consciousness among residents, who remain indifferent to the problem.

The support that we got for the Peirerawadi residents made us believe that a large part of citizens were upset with the action of the authorities. The donation received was fabulous and I am sure we would not have been able to raise so much if it had been sought for the church building."

Dereyk Talker, a member of the parish, who is also actively associated with the church's initiative said, "This the beginning of a movement and we hope to protect the rights of the residents by taking up issues related to traffic, open spaces and redevelopment.

For example, the residents are upset with the manner in which the MET has been developing the ground. Likewise, we are also going to take up the issue of development of Chappel Road and ensure that it does not follow the Peirerawadi path."

Apart from the protest, the group will also create awareness on subjects like RTI (Right to Information), besides carrying out registration of voters in the electoral rolls. "Making people aware of their rights and duties is the primary goal.

For example, the residents should have been given the rights to maintain the MET grounds on the same lines as the locals have beautified and maintained the Carter Road promenade. Our aim is to prepare the residents for similar roles in future", said Father Warner.
manthan.mehta@timesgroup.com