Ahmedabad (AsiaNews) – The Catholic community of Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat has called a protest sit-in that will be held next week against the government for allowing the construction industry to destroy its cemetery. The bishop, Mgr Thomas Macwan, is supporting the rally.
In 1998, the local council allotted two acres of land to the Catholic community for a graveyard. After five years, the economic potential of the area increased so some industries have started to steal pieces of land with the connivance of Hindu communities and the government. In the mad rush to grab layers of mud, some graves have collapsed and others risk destruction.
Fr Edwin Raj Kumar, parish priest of Vatva Parish, told AsiaNews: “There are 68 graves in the cemetery. The plot adjoining the Catholic cemetery was a Hindu burial ground for children (adults are cremated). For years, this Hindu graveyard has been dug up and the mud sold to builders. But mud has also been taken from our cemetery: six graves have been broken, crosses have fallen and fences have collapsed.” The community has protested to the government, which does nothing “because it is involved in this matter. The constructors’ lobby is very powerful and we are not safeguarded.”
Samson C. Christian, secretary, All India Christian Council, wrote to the government of Gujarat to ask it to intervene. In a press statement, the movement said: “The vested interests of industry have joined hands with police and government officers and whoever tried to prevent this, like Aapuji Andaji Vanzara, has been murdered. Police Inspector Zala has misused his authority and has not taken steps against the culprits who are corrupt money lovers. Hence, even this policeman has broken the law.”
Despite the letter, “nothing has changed. So we have decided to take the matter to the attention of the central government. We will ask for the suspension of Insp. Zala and for fitting punishment for those who destroyed the tombs.”
Bishop Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad, sent a note to every parish of the diocese to be read out this Sunday after the liturgy. The bishop wrote that “there are serious moves to encroach the Catholic cemetery. The local people have been in touch with the authorities but nothing was done to repair the damage to structures or to shake the government apathy. So we must protest.”