Tamil Nadu: Villagers led by Hindu Munnani organisation protest against unauthorised church construction in Pudukkottai

The Hindu Munnani organisation is leading a protest against the construction of a new church in Manamelkudi, Pudukkottai District. The Hindu Munnani strongly opposes the building of the church, claiming that it lacks the required permissions and approvals.

Situated in close proximity to the Jagadeeswarar Temple, Pillaiyar Temple, Mariamman Temple, and across from the Pennagaram Perumal Temple, the church is being constructed on agricultural land. The Hindu Munnani has expressed concerns, stating that this unauthorised construction is a deliberate effort to convert Hindus and disrupt their religious practices.

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In a statement released by the Hindu Munnani, they assert that the church construction is being carried out without the consent of the District Collector and the Panchayat President. Taking their grievances to social media platform X, the organisation has urged the Tahsildar and Revenue Department officials to intervene and put an immediate halt to the construction.

The Hindu Munnani alleges that the construction of the church on agricultural land not only violates regulations but also poses a threat to the religious practices of the Hindu community in the area. They fear that the close proximity of the church to the Hindu temples might hinder the worship and rituals performed by the local Hindus.

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As a Hindu religious and cultural rights organisation, the Hindu Munnani has raised concerns over this unauthorised construction. They argue that the church is being built without any official blessings, which is cause for alarm.

The Hindu Munnani organisation has opposed the construction of a new church in Manamelkudi, Pudukkottai District, citing concerns that it is being built illegally on agricultural land without the necessary permissions and approvals. The church is located near several Hindu temples, including the Jagadeeswarar Temple, Pillaiyar Temple, Mariamman Temple, and Pennagaram Perumal Temple, which has heightened concerns of potential communal clashes in the future.

Locals fear that festivals in Hindu temples and the playing of musical instruments, bursting of firecrackers, and deity processions could lead to conflicts with the presence of the church in close proximity. The Hindu Munnani has submitted a petition to the Tahsildar and Revenue Department officials, urging them to intervene and halt the construction immediately.

The organisation has raised concerns that the construction of the church on agricultural land is a deliberate attempt to convert Hindus and disrupt their worship. The Hindu Munnani claims that the church is being built without the permission of the District Collector and the Panchayat President, in violation of regulations.

The Hindu Munnani has emphasised that the unauthorised construction of the church is a direct challenge to the religious harmony of the region and could lead to communal tensions. The organisation is calling for strict adherence to the necessary permissions and regulations for religious structures.

In Tamil Nadu, concerns have emerged over the construction of new places of worship by both Muslims and Christians, with allegations of attempts to spread their faith and convert vulnerable individuals. The issue revolves around the existence of numerous illegal churches and mosques, some of which have been built on public land and water bodies, obstructing water drains. Critics argue that the Dravidian governments’ alleged minority appeasement policies have emboldened such activities. Despite court orders, illegal construction and encroachments persist, leading to accusations of bias towards Hindu temples.