Mumbai: Koli Catholic members of St Anthony's Church in Dharavi have alleged discrimination in the predominantly Tamil-speaking parish. On Saturday, May 17, members of the Koli community wearing black clothes took part in a protest programme that began in Dharavi and ended in a march to Archbishop's House in Colaba. In a memorandum to Archbishop John Rodrigues, they demanded the appointment of a Marathi-speaking parish priest.
The Kolis are the original residents of Dharavi Koliwada which is a distinct gaothan or village. As the outskirts of the village grew into one of the largest slums in the country, there was a growth in the number of Tamil-speakers. Franco Patil, secretary of the parish council, alleged the Koli community is being sidelined.
Outside St Anthony's Church, Dharavi | File Photo
"Tamil speaking priests have been consistently appointed, ignoring the religious, social, and cultural needs of the Koli community. Even when Marathi-speaking priests are appointed, they are often given subordinate roles under Tamil priests, which is deeply regrettable," said Patil who said that the Kolis want a parish priest who understands the local culture. "This is not just about our religious rights but also about our identity and dignity," said Patil.
Father Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archbishop of Bombay, John Rodrigues, said, "As a church we believe that everyone is welcome and the needs of all members are respected and addressed. We will look into the issues mentioned and ensure that all members of the parish feel accepted and welcomed."
The Koli community also alleged a lack of transparency regarding the church's redevelopment plans, causing concern about its future. Father Maria Gabriel, parish priest of St Anthony's Church, said, "I have spoken to the higher authorities about the issue. I have been heading the parish for four years and I have done a lot for the local Catholics."
Dharavi was part of Mahim's St Michael's Church, before it was made a separate parish in 1995. The St Anthony's Church, named after the patron saint of fishermen, has around 350 Koli families and nearly 2000 Tamil-speaking families.
