The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has lodged a formal complaint with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) regarding alleged religious violations at a government-leased hostel in Kovvur town in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.
According to the complaint filed by LRPF Working President A.S. Santhosh, a private building leased by the government to accommodate over 55 Backward Class (BC) students from grades 3 to 10 is being misused for unauthorized religious activities. Reports suggest that Christian prayer sessions and other religious gatherings are being conducted within the premises, disrupting the students’ environment and violating their fundamental rights.
Church activities in the BC Welfare Children Hostel, Kovvur, AP, violate Article 28(3) of the Constitution, raising grave concerns over safety, welfare of children & secular integrity of Govt's hostel system.
Urged @NCPCR_ to take strict action.
Cc: @naralokesh gaaru. pic.twitter.com/MkfFt8Mjdr
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) February 4, 2025
LRPF stated, “The misuse of a government-leased property for religious activities is a clear violation of Article 28(3) of the Indian Constitution. The law explicitly states: ‘No person attending any educational institution recognized by the State or receiving aid out of State funds shall be required to take part in any religious instruction that may be imparted in such institution or to attend any religious worship that may be conducted in such institution or in any premises attached thereto unless such person or, if such person is a minor, his guardian has given his consent thereto.’
Forcing students in a state-funded hostel to participate in religious gatherings is unconstitutional and unacceptable,” the forum asserted.
LRPF has raised concerns that minor students are being subjected to religious influence and potential conversion attempts. The forum has urged NCPCR to take immediate action to investigate the matter and safeguard the rights of the children.
LRPF has called for stringent measures to prevent the misuse of government-leased properties for religious purposes and ensure that such violations do not compromise the secular and educational integrity of state-run hostels.
Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a troubling pattern of Christian missionaries illegally using government school premises for evangelical activities. Despite repeated complaints to authorities, these forces continue to violate laws with impunity.
Standardized Evangelical Strategy in Andhra Pradesh:
LRPF has observed a well-established template of operations followed by missionaries:
- Establishing an independent church within or near school premises.
- Gradually linking it to a vast Christian network for funding.
- Seeking political protection to avoid legal consequences.
For over two decades, political parties’ ignorance or deliberate appeasement of these activities has enabled their unchecked expansion.
Documented Violations and LRPF’s Interventions
July 2022 – Cheemakurthy Govt High School Case
A massive Christian religious congregation was planned at Govt High School, Cheemakurthy, Prakasam District, for June 16-17, 2022. Following complaints by LRPF & Shiva Shakthi Organization, the District Education Officer issued a warning notice, leading to the event’s cancellation.
Following complaints filed by #LRPF & @ShivaShakthiOrg, thereby a warning notice issued by District Education Officer to school authorities, massive Christian Religious Congregation to be held from 16&17June 2022 at Govt High School, Cheemakurthy, Prakasam, AP have been stopped pic.twitter.com/IIPlUHRGbq
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) June 17, 2022
November 2024 – Tanuku ZPH School Violation
Christian evangelists misused the ZPH School Grounds, Tanuku, AP, for religious activities, violating multiple legal provisions, including:
AP Educational Institutions (Establishment, Recognition, Administration & Control of Schools) Rules, 1988
AP High Court Judgment (2019) prohibiting such activities
AP Panchayat Raj Department’s 2019 proceedings
LRPF’s legal intervention highlighted these violations:
Dear @PawanKalyan gaaru @naralokesh gaaru,
It's happening in ZPH School Grounds, Tanuku, AP violating:
– AP Educational Institutions (Establishment, Recognition, Administration & Control of Schools) Rules, 1988
– HC Judgment, 2019
– AP Panchayat Raj Dept's proceedings, 2019 https://t.co/mMCOmxzFe2 pic.twitter.com/KMtVOWSOnc
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) November 9, 2024
Targeting Girls in Kasturba Residential School, Anantapur
Christian conversion activities specifically targeting minor girls were reported at Kasturba Gandhi Residential School, Ellanur town, Anantapur District. LRPF’s complaint to @NCPCR_ prompted action, leading to the surrender of Ms. Rebecca, District Girl Child Development Officer, to the Educational Department.
Folloiwng LRPF's complaint, to @NCPCR_ against Christians Conversions targeting girls at Kasturba Residential school Ellanur town and a notice from @NCPCR_ to DC, Ms. Rebecca, District Gild Child Development Officer of Anantapur, AP has been surrendered to Educational Department https://t.co/pTLRUUIHdY pic.twitter.com/rncBfS7d04
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) March 26, 2023
Speaking to Organiser weekly, LRPF President, Santhosh, stated, “Christian missionaries deliberately target innocent children at a tender age, using indoctrination techniques that cripple their intellectual ability to critically understand the world and its history. Instead of fostering independent thought, they impose a premeditated narrative designed to disrupt religious harmony. Their doctrine of Christian superiority sows seeds of hatred in young minds—an unpardonable crime the Church has perpetrated across the world.”
Call for Action
LRPF has demanded strict enforcement of laws to prevent further misuse of government school properties for religious conversions. Authorities must ensure that schools remain educational institutions, not hubs for illegal missionary activities.
