In a stunning reversal, the Andhra Pradesh government headed by CM Chandra Babu Naidu, has officially withdrawn its landmark order aimed at cracking down on unauthorised Christian churches operating without proper permissions in panchayat jurisdictions—sending shockwaves across the state.
The now-revoked order, issued on February 10, 2025 vide a Memo No. 2712164/CPR&RD/D8/2024 had directed all District Panchayat Officers across the state’s 26 districts to conduct a thorough investigation into Churches functioning without required approvals from District Collectors. Officials were explicitly instructed to take legal action against such establishments violating the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act and the Gram Panchayat Land Development Rules – 2002, further reinforced by G.O.Ms. No. 376 of 2012. This bold directive had been issued in response to a petition from Prasanna Kumar Peddireddy, a vigilant resident of Palakollu, West Godavari district, who raised serious concerns over illegal church constructions mushrooming unchecked.
Following pressure from some groups, below orders of taking action against illegal Churches have been withdrawn by the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Commissioner
Cc: @PawanKalyan garu https://t.co/HhsUkRBPCt pic.twitter.com/zFAwslayVZ
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) March 5, 2025
Upon receiving the memo from the Panchayat Commissioner, the District Collector of West Godavari acted promptly and issued notices to the District Panchayat Officer, Revenue Divisional Officers, and all Municipal Commissioners within the district, directing them to take necessary action in the matter as per the rules and regulations in force. An Action Taken Report (ATR) has been sought from them.
Meanwhile, in a shocking U-turn on March 5, 2025, the Commissioner of Panchayati Raj & Rural Development (PR&RD) issued a fresh memo nullifying the previous order. Signed by K Anand, OSD (Panchayats), the memo instructed all district officers to immediately disregard the February 10 circular and halt all ongoing inquiries.
The sudden withdrawal has ignited fierce criticism and deep disappointment among vigilant citizens and legal activists.
Speaking to Organiser, a visibly dismayed Prasanna Kumar Peddireddy said, “Revoking such a critical directive is nothing short of alarming. The people of Andhra Pradesh deserve an explanation. Failure to act against illegal churches signals that the government is silently endorsing their unchecked spread. This sets a dangerous precedent, risking irreversible demographic consequences. The time for decisive leadership is now. Andhra Pradesh cannot afford silence or surrender on this pressing issue.
Echoing this sentiment, AS Santhosh, the president of the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), remarked, “Bowing to political correctness on such grave matters is a betrayal of the people’s trust. Elected governments must uphold the rule of law, not surrender to vote-bank pressures. The time for decisive leadership is now. Andhra Pradesh cannot afford silence or surrender on this pressing issue.”
For over two decades, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed an explosive surge in unauthorized Churches, particularly in rural hamlets and urban neighbourhoods. Evangelical activities, growing at breakneck speed, have raised serious concerns about demographic imbalance, cultural erosion, and social unrest. During YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure (2019-2024), the proliferation of unregulated, home-based churches reached unprecedented levels, with pastors wielding influence over both society and state affairs.
Observers suggest that Jagan’s political decline is intricately linked to the unchecked growth of this aggressive church ecosystem.
Now, all eyes are on Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan to take decisive, unapologetic action. The people of Andhra Pradesh are demanding immediate intervention to halt the spread of unauthorized churches and rein in evangelical activities that, if left unchecked, threaten to transform Andhra Pradesh into a Christian-majority state.
