Korumilli Grama Panchayat in Kapileswarapuram mandal of Dr Ambedkar Konaseems district has issued a strong notice to Rambabu, a resident, for allegedly running a church illegally under the cover of a so-called Mother Theresa Convent at Door Numbers 2-62 and 2-63 in the village.
The notice, dated on August 29, stated that a united representation submitted to them by villagers under the banner of the Hindu Dharma Protection Association, who unanimously objected to the unauthorised church activities in their locality. Taking cognisance of the complaint, the Panchayat ordered that Rambabu must produce valid permissions, if any, before the Panchayat officials on 6th September 2025.
Failing this, the Panchayat has warned that the church will be removed under official supervision, treating this as the final warning. Additionally, the Panchayat has made it clear that any continuation of church activities in the meantime would invite legal action.
Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), a legal advocacy group, has said that as per Andhra Pradesh’s G.O M.S. 376 dated 29.11.2012: “No site shall be used for the construction of a building intended for public worship or religious purpose without the prior approval of the District Collector who may refuse such approval if, in his opinion, the use of the site for the proposed construction of the building is likely to endanger public peace and order, after giving an opportunity to the applicant to show cause against such refusal.”
Crypto-Christians Exploiting Village Innocence
Villagers point out that such incidents are not isolated. Across Andhra Pradesh, there has been a surge in illegal churches run by crypto-Christians, individuals who outwardly identify as Hindus for social and political benefits but secretly promote Christian evangelism. Exploiting the liberal and accommodative nature of Hindu society, these groups have already establish thousands of unauthorised prayer halls and aggressively targeting locals for conversion with a massive Christian religious infrastructure in place across the state in terms of churches, Christian prayer houses, and pastor training institutions.
Residents allege that these crypto-Christians are becoming increasingly intolerant of Hindu practices, creating troubles during the festivals. There have been repeated complaints of threats to Hindus who politely ask evangelists to limit sermons to authorised churches. In some cases, villagers say, even minor objections to unauthorised preaching in Hindu localities have been met with violent intimidation.
Local villagers say this is not about being against any religion; it is about respecting the laws of the country. On the one hand, Christians preach about goodness, citizenship values, and respectability in society, but in practice they violate the laws and mock Hindu practices. This hypocrisy is dangerous to the harmony of society.
These violations can also be described as human rights violations, breaches of revenue laws, and acts of disrespect, particularly towards non-Christian villagers. All of these are serious issues that require the attention and action of the authorities.
A Larger Challenge for Andhra Pradesh Hindus
For Hindus in Andhra Pradesh, the issue goes beyond one village. Locals say they are confronted daily with aggressive baptism drives, staged testimonies, and sermons that openly mock Hindu gods and rituals. Many fear that if not checked, the unchecked mushrooming of illegal churches will destabilise the social harmony of their villages.
The recent step taken by the Korumilli Panchayat is being seen as a key point. By asserting its authority, the Panchayat has signalled that local bodies can and must play a role in distinguishing between authorised and unauthorised religious institutions, preventing the misuse of village lands and community goodwill.
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