The Crossbill News Desk
A prominent Catholic organisation has expressed deep disappointment over the Delhi Police’s decision to deny permission for a peaceful Christian procession on Palm Sunday (April 13), calling the move “unfair,” “shocking,” and indicative of biased treatment towards religious minorities.
The Catholic Association of the Archdiocese of Delhi (CAAD) released a statement on Sunday criticising the authorities for not allowing the annual Way of the Cross procession, which traditionally involves Christians walking from St. Mary’s Church in Old Delhi to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gole Market. The event, held in observance of Palm Sunday — which this year fell on April 13 — marks the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar.
According to the CAAD, the Delhi Police cited “law and order and traffic concerns” as the reason for rejecting the request.
“This is deeply shocking and unfair. The procession has always been peaceful and well-coordinated with authorities. The reason cited — law and order and traffic — doesn’t hold when others get approvals for similar events,” CAAD said in the statement.
“Not once has there been a report of traffic disruption or a law and order issue linked to our event,” it noted.
The association questioned the rationale behind the decision, pointing out that processions and rallies by other religious and political groups are regularly permitted, even during peak traffic hours and on working days.
“The denial of permission this year feels biased and unfair, casting a shadow on the principles of equal treatment and religious freedom,” the statement said.
The association emphasized that the Way of the Cross has been conducted peacefully and with full cooperation from authorities for over a decade.
“For over a decade, the annual Way of the Cross has been conducted with utmost discipline, peace and full cooperation with the authorities. Not once has there been a report of traffic disruption or law and order issue linked to our event,” the statement read.
“Christians in Delhi – and across India – have always been a peaceful, law-abiding community. We appeal to the authorities to act judiciously and ensure that justice and equality are upheld. We urge that such actions do not create a sense of exclusion or doubt in the minds of minorities who contribute positively and peacefully to the nation’s fabric.”
The Catholic association’s criticism adds to growing concerns about the perceived marginalisation of minority communities and the unequal application of religious freedoms in the country.
The Catholic Association of the Archdiocese of Delhi (CAAD) released a statement on Sunday criticising the authorities for not allowing the annual Way of the Cross procession, which traditionally involves Christians walking from St. Mary’s Church in Old Delhi to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gole Market. The event, held in observance of Palm Sunday — which this year fell on April 13 — marks the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar.
According to the CAAD, the Delhi Police cited “law and order and traffic concerns” as the reason for rejecting the request.
“This is deeply shocking and unfair. The procession has always been peaceful and well-coordinated with authorities. The reason cited — law and order and traffic — doesn’t hold when others get approvals for similar events,” CAAD said in the statement.
“Not once has there been a report of traffic disruption or a law and order issue linked to our event,” it noted.
The association questioned the rationale behind the decision, pointing out that processions and rallies by other religious and political groups are regularly permitted, even during peak traffic hours and on working days.
“The denial of permission this year feels biased and unfair, casting a shadow on the principles of equal treatment and religious freedom,” the statement said.
The association emphasized that the Way of the Cross has been conducted peacefully and with full cooperation from authorities for over a decade.
“For over a decade, the annual Way of the Cross has been conducted with utmost discipline, peace and full cooperation with the authorities. Not once has there been a report of traffic disruption or law and order issue linked to our event,” the statement read.
“Christians in Delhi – and across India – have always been a peaceful, law-abiding community. We appeal to the authorities to act judiciously and ensure that justice and equality are upheld. We urge that such actions do not create a sense of exclusion or doubt in the minds of minorities who contribute positively and peacefully to the nation’s fabric.”
The Catholic association’s criticism adds to growing concerns about the perceived marginalisation of minority communities and the unequal application of religious freedoms in the country.
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