Goregaon Protest Highlights Fears Over Religious Freedom
Mumbai: A peaceful protest was held this evening in Goregaon West after organisers cited reports of alleged attacks and intimidation faced by Christian communities in different parts of the country during the Christmas season. The gathering, attended by around 100 people, sought to draw attention to concerns expressed by church bodies and civil society groups, even as no official data or case-specific details were presented at the event.
The protest was organised by the Samvidhan Jaagar Yatra Samiti along with the Bombay Catholic Sabha, one of Mumbai’s oldest Catholic lay organisations. Participants assembled outside Hotel Ratna on S.V. Road, standing silently with placards referring to constitutional values, freedom of religion and the role of the state in ensuring the safety of religious minorities.
Organisers said the protest was prompted by what they described as a growing number of reports from several states alleging disruptions of Christmas prayers, vandalism of churches, intimidation of worshippers and threats issued in the name of preventing “forced conversions.” These assertions were based on accounts circulating among Christian organisations and activists, though the press release did not cite specific locations, police cases or official confirmations related to the alleged incidents.
In a message circulated ahead of the gathering, Dolphy D’Souza, spokesperson of the Bombay Catholic Sabha, said such incidents, if left unaddressed, raised serious constitutional concerns. He stated that the issues went beyond routine law-and-order matters and touched upon the freedom of conscience and the right to practise and profess religion without fear. Bombay Catholic Sabha president Norbert Mendonca said the Goregaon protest marked the start of a broader effort to raise awareness on these concerns through peaceful means.
Civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad, secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace, said the reports emerging from different parts of the country were troubling and warranted wider public discussion. She called for voices from political, social and cultural spheres to speak out in defence of constitutional principles, adding that peaceful protests by citizens were an expression of democratic engagement rather than confrontation.
Those present at the gathering included Teesta Setalvad, Professor Arvind Nigle, Sridhar Shelar and Iqbal Shaikh, convenors of the Samvidhan Jaagar Yatra Samiti, as well as former corporator Samir Desai of Shiv Sena (UBT). Participants said the silent nature of the protest was intended to emphasise their appeal for peace, dialogue and adherence to constitutional norms.
While the protest itself was a verifiable event, the organisers acknowledged that the incidents cited as its basis were drawn from reported complaints and accounts shared by community groups. They said further peaceful initiatives could follow, as civil society organisations continue to highlight concerns over religious freedom and minority rights during festive periods and beyond.
– global bihari bureau
