Mahapanchayat held against church construction in Teekli

People from several villages held a 'mahapanchayat' on Friday, opposing the ongoing construction of a church on a two-acre agricultural plot. Many leaders of Hindu outfits, including the VHP and Bajrang Dal, took part in the gathering. Residents of Teekli and neighbouring villages said they feared the church could be a front for religious conversion activities.

Those building the church could not be contacted for a response. The villagers and VHP, Bajrang Dal leaders questioned the construction, claiming that the local Christian population is reportedly less than 1 per cent of the “10,000 Hindu families”.  Sandeep Kumar, head of Teekli village, said some members of the Christian community purchased land from a farmer of the village and applied for a change of land use (CLU) but it was rejected.  

“At the time, they assured us that no church would be constructed but they somehow obtained the CLU and have now started the construction of the church. But we will not allow any church to be built in the village,” he said.

A 52-member committee was also formed at the 'mahapanchayat', which decided that they will meet the deputy commissioner on Monday and submit a memorandum addressed to the chief minister.

People from Noorpur, Aklimpur, Badshahpur, Palra, Gairatpur Bas and Kherkhi Baghniki villages participated in the 'mahapanchayat', which was chaired by one Kishor Singh. Leaders of the Hindu outfits warned that they will not allow the construction of a church. Yashwant Shekhawat from Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Surendra Tawar from Bajrang Dal said there were “no Christian families” living around the village.

Kulbhushan Bhardwaj, an advocate, said, “Offering namaz in the open at public places is now banned after prolonged efforts of 'sanatanis'. All Hindu outfits have come forward against the construction of the church. We will never allow any church in Teekli village or in areas surrounding it.”