The ongoing dispute between the authorities of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount and prospective stall renters shows no signs of resolution, despite efforts by Oswald Cardinal Gracias to mediate. On Thursday, Cardinal Gracias addressed a letter to the rectors of Mount Mary Basilica, urging a reduction in stall rent costs on compassionate grounds. However, this gesture has not appeased the stall renters.

The renters have raised concerns, alleging that the church authorities and organisers of the Bandra Fair are attempting to replace longstanding stallholders with new ones. They claim that the introduction of a token and lottery system is a strategy to facilitate this change, fostering discontent among the existing renters. The situation remains tense as negotiations continue without a clear resolution in sight.