Very urgent _ Your presence on Tuesday 24 at 09.00 a.m.

Dear Sabhaites and Friends,

RE: SOLIDARITY DHARNA BY THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA IN SUPPORT OF SISTERS / STAFF/ CHILDREN OF THE MARY IMMACULATE GIRL'S HIGH SCHOOL, JEEVAN BIMA NAGAR, BORIVALI WEST ON TUESDAY, JUNE 24TH AT 9.00 a.m. against the threat posed by the MNS activists that they will return back to demand admissions on 24 th June. Please join in large numbers. Please pass this message around.

The Bombay Catholic Sabha had organised a meeting on Sunday June 22 at 10.00 at the school campus to show solidarity for the Sisters / Staff /and Children of the Mary Immaculate Girl's High School. Citizens numbering over 400 in number consisting of Parents, Ex-Students, Priests, Nuns and citizens from all over Mumbai participated.

One of the members of the school staff shared with the gathering the terrorising effect of the MNS mob that gathered outside the school and their unruly behaviour both within the Principal's Cabin and outside which traumatized the children many of whom were scared and crying. The parents of this children were also terrified and feared for the safety of the children.

The MNS activists have threatened to return back to the school on June 24 which has added to the insecurity of all concerned.

Hence in solidarity, The Bombay Catholic Sabha along with several other organisations will hold a peaceful dharna in support of the Institution and the personnel and the children at 9.00 a.m. on June 24.

We have in the meantime, also brought this unfortunate situation to the attention of Smt Sonia Gandhi, the Congress I President, Governor of Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Joint Commissioner of Police- Law and Order and National Commission for Minorities and sought their intervention.

The demands are listed in our press statement released on June 21.

Best Regards,
Dolphy D'souza
President
THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA
St Michael's Church, Mahim,
Mumbai 400 016.
Tel: 9820226227
PRESS STATEMENT RELEASED ON JUNE 21.

RE; THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA CONDEMNS THE INTIMADATORY TACTICS OF MNS ACTIVISTS ON THE SISTERS WHO ARE MANAGING THE MARY IMMACULATE GIRL'S HIGH SCHOOL, BORIVALI. SEEKS INTERVENTION OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER / HOME MINISTER TO PROVIDE POLICE PROTECTION TO THE SISTERS AND THE INSTITUTION AND ALL CONVENT SCHOOLS IN MUMBAI.

The activists of the MNS barged into the school premises of Mary Immaculate Girl's High School, Jeevan Bima Nagar, Borivali West on June19, 2008. The mob was unruly and behaved in a threatening manner., hurling abuses and derogatory remarks against the School Principal and Manager who happened to be Nuns. We are surprised that they have not been taught elementary manners how to behave with women. This pressure tactic was a ruse to seek admissions.

The local DCP Mr. Ranade was very helpful

But the Sisters have been terified by such type of goonda tactics.

We understand that they have threatened the Institution that they would return back on June 24th at 10.00 a.m. They have also threatened if their demands are not met than they will shut down the school for an indefinite period of time. This warning is not limited only to your school but to all convent schools.

We demand the following:

1. The intervention of the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister to provide police protection to the Sisters and the said Institution and to all Convent Schools.

2. Restraining order on such elements

3. Our constitutional rights as a Minority Institution should be protected at all times.

4. Apprehend the culprits and prosecute them accordingly.

The Bombay Catholic Sabha will monitor the situation and plan its future course of action accordingly.

Best Regards,
Dolphy D'souza
President
THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA
St Michael's Church,
Mahim, Mumbai 400 016.
Tel:24463853 / 9820226227