Mumbai, Jun 19 (IE): At least 1,000 people hit the streets of Kandivli to protest the BMC’s proposal to demolish Heritage Holy Cross or the graveyard of the Heritage Church of Our Lady of Remedy Saturday. The march was organised by the Guardians United, Save Our Souls(SOUL), Watchdog Foundation, Bombay East Indian Association etc. The march started at 10.30am from Poinsur depot and ended at 12.30pm after reaching the BMC-R South Ward office.

The church has been included in the proposed list of heritage category II A by the Mumbai municipal corporation. The church, along with the graveyard, would qualify for the ‘ancient monuments’ category in Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

“We learnt that many builders who are seeking to develop properties in the vicinity of religious structures are now conniving with BMC officers and want the removal of such religious structures. Therefore, it is clear at whose instance the BMC is acting to widen the S V Road in front of the church,” said the organisers.

The organisers also presented a memorandum to the deputy municipal commissioner of the zone. “We held a discussion with for at least 30 minutes and he said our request would be forwarded to the municipal commissioner,” said Dolphy D’Souza, spokesperson, SOUL.

Ward Executive Engineer Sunil Paberekar said, “We heard their grievances. The memorandum will be forwarded to the senior officials.”