Sir — Comprising Kunbis, Agris, Bhandaris and Kolis, the East Indian Catholics are the original inhabitants of Mumbai, indigenous to the former Salcette islands including Bandra, Kurla, Thane and Bhayander. They speak a blend of shudh Marathi, Portuguese and English, and have a rich culture.
The East Indian Catholics did not want to be confused with the other Christians in the region. Hence, they adopted an identity that made clear, especially to the British, that they were first Marathi-speaking Christian sons and daughters of aamchi Mumbai.