Groups Ask Mumbai Police to Protect Vakola Christian Prayer Meetings
On Thursday, a delegation of 25 civil society organizations met with senior Mumbai Police officials to demand immediate protection for Christian prayer meetings, specifically highlighting a threatened protest at Gamdevi in Vakola, Santacruz East. The delegation, led by Mumbai for Peace and other groups, submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner of Police and the Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) to prevent potential disruptions scheduled for Sunday, July 5.
The memorandum expressed deep concern over repeated disruptions of Christian prayer services across Mumbai. It specifically flagged a threat by a group identifying as the Sakal Hindu Samaj to stage a protest outside a Christian prayer assembly in Vakola on July 5. The delegation alleged the threat was issued by Ankit Yadav and his associates, who claim membership in the Bajrang Dal, and warned that their actions could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, Hindu activists defended the planned protest, stating they intend to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the prayer organizers at Vakola police station. Gautam Ravaria, the provincial coordinator for the VHP/Bajrang Dal, stated that they have asked the police to register a case under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
Ravaria alleged the organizers were promising miraculous cures and conducting forceful religious conversions. He added that if the police file an FIR against the organizers, the protest will not take place.
The delegation met with Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma to discuss their concerns. According to the delegation, Dr. Sharma stated that the police were aware of some of these incidents and assured them that necessary steps would be taken to maintain law and order.
Copies of the memorandum were also sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) and the Senior Inspector of Vakola Police Station. The delegation included Sameer Wagle, Smriti Nevatia, Pastor David Tribhuvan, Fr Frazer Mascarenhas, Neena Shah More, Elvina Gonsalves, Pastor Jomon Mathew, Dolphy D'Souza, Shakir Shaikh, Ashfaque Mohammed Yaqub, Sandhya Panaskar, Shaista Sayyed Aejaz, Lalita Deonalli, and Lara Jesani.
Among the 25 endorsing organizations were Mumbai for Peace, The Bombay Catholic Sabha, Christian Development Association, Citizens for the Constitution, People's Union for Civil Liberties, Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (Mumbai), Citizens for Justice and Peace, Forum Against Oppression of Women, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Central Mumbai Christian Fellowship, and Fridays for Future.
