The Madras High Court has issued an interim stay on the construction of a church in Coimbatore, stating that mala fide intentions cannot be ruled out when a church is proposed near a Hindu temple. A division bench comprising Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice V Lakshminarayanan observed that Coimbatore is a communally sensitive city that has witnessed bomb blasts and bloody religious riots.
Court's Observations
The bench noted that the proposed church would be built within a stone's throw from the existing Mariyamman Temple. With only a handful of Christian families in the area, the court expressed concern over the construction of a large church in close proximity to the temple. The judges remarked that such a move could indicate ulterior motives.
The court also took on record the petitioner's submission that following a change in government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, posters have appeared in parts of Tamil Nadu calling for the construction of churches in every village.
Petitioner's Concerns
The interim order was passed on a plea by N Balasubramaniyam opposing the church construction at Kalapatti in Coimbatore. The petitioner hinted at the possibility that the new building could become a center for conversion activities. The judges acknowledged India's secular and pluralistic nature, stating, "We are a secular nation. We are a pluralist society. Religious amity has to be preserved. If a religious right is established, then it is the duty of the state to aid in its enforcement."
Legal and Social Context
The court noted that considerations could have been different if the construction was on undisputed patta land, with no religious structures of other communities nearby, and without opposition. However, in this case, revenue records indicate the site is a public road, the location is too close to an old temple, and there is vigorous opposition from the community.
Additionally, the court recorded the petitioner's submission regarding Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar, who reportedly distributed thousands of free copies of the Bible and quoted biblical verses in his inaugural address. The petitioner also mentioned that opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin called for the annihilation of Sanatana dharma in his assembly address, which was not condemned by the ruling party.
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