Hindu solidarity and unity exhibited in the massive rally supporting the cause for the Chennimalai hill and temple!

Hindu solidarity and unity exhibited in the massive rally supporting the cause for the Chennimalai hill and temple!

The Christian announcement about the change of name of Chennimalai: The Chennimalai Murugan Temple, situated in Erode district and boasting a history of over 3000 years, is in news due to a recent contentious speech by the local Christian Munnani group proposing to rename it as “Kalvaari Malai” or “Yesu Malai”[1]. This proposition has stirred controversy among the local Hindus, who have been venerating Chennimalai Murugan for generations[2]. Chennimalai is situated between Erode and Coimbatore. It is known as Siragiri and Chenniyangiri in Devanagiri, and Chennimalai in Tamil, the hill lends its name to the city at its base. The hill is also referred to as Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri, and Siragiri. Notably, the revered hymn ‘Kanda Sashti Kavacham,’ praising Lord Murugan, was first staged by Sri Bala Devaraya Swamigal at this temple. Therefore, evidently, the attempts of the Christians have been atrocious, heinous and irreligious too.

Modus operandi of the Christian encroachment: Erecting a cross, encroaching the place, regularly conducting prayers, putting up temporary shed, converting it into brick structure with doors and windows, getting electricity and regularizing encroachment by getting patta, registration etc., and thus, the illegally encroached area getting legal status, that too, as a church – have been going on. Then, the structure is converted into igger one, with houses coming up surrounding it. Slowly, then it is converted into a township. This happened at many places in Tamilnadu. The Tamilnadu Government officials of different departments – Forest, Revenue, Electricity, Police and others not only aid and abet them, but a;so help them in many ways, obviously with mutual benefits.

Brief of what happened: One John Peter has started conducting prayers reportedly at his house, but, converting into fulfledged church with all their paraphernalia with crowd gathering on Suday and creating sound and noise. Obviously that have been disturbing the neighbours, but authorities keeping quite. Besides, the Christians have started their pla by constructing a small Church on the Chennimalai and declaring that it would named after their religion. Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramaniam has sought criminal action against Christian missionaries for alleging trying to convert Chennimalai Murugan temple hillock as theirs[3]. He also led a protest in the town against the missionaries on 13-10-2023 Friday[4]. Addressing the protesters, Subramaniam alleged that Arjunan alias John Peter from Pasuvapatty had bought a piece of land at Murungathozhuvu, where the Chennimalai Murugan temple hillock is located. He had conducted prayer meetings on the land without obtaining any permission, Subramaniam alleged.

What Actually Conspired: Unauthorised Christian prayer meetings took place in the predominantly Hindu community of Chennimalai, Erode District, causing local tensions[5]. It is quite common that the Christians on Sundays gather, putting up speakers and start shouting and singing and this would continue, even, if none is there in the church, i.e, these noise and shouting would be played through music system. These meetings aimed to promote the Christian faith and attracted attendees from outside the town[6]. Offensive remarks about Hindu deities were made during these gatherings through loudspeakers, deeply offending Hindu residents[7]. Despite causing issues, the unauthorised meetings continued[8]. The law enforcing authorities did not take the conginance of these violations. On 17 September, a confrontation occurred when members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) objected to the meetings and insisted on proper permissions[9]. The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation between the BJP members and the Hindu Munnani, resulting in a police case with charges, including attempted murder[10].

25-09-2023 Christian meeting – the support of political parties: The Christians organized a meeting and demanded that action should be taken and all arrested by the police. Christian organisations and political groups like the Revolutionary Youth Front, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and MDMK demanded action against those opposing the prayer meetings. Two individuals, Chinnaswamy and Tamilarasan, were arrested by the police, which shocked BJP and Hindu Munnani members who felt the police acted unilaterally. A Christian demonstration on 26 September 2023 raised concerns as some speakers expressed intent to transform the Chennimalai Murugan temple hill into a “Kalvari Hill”. Hindu organisations mobilized support for protests, and the issue transformed into a religious matter, distressing Muruga devotees and prompting further demonstrations and tensions in the area.

Concern and alarm over the Chistian announcement over name change and abuses: The Hindu Munnani has accused the Christian Munnani, along with certain local Christian missionaries instigated by certain political parties, of publicly giving a controversial speech saying that the sacred Hindu worship site of Chennimalai will be renamed. The Hindu Munnani has strongly condemned this act, stating that it hurt the sentiments of Hindus. They have announced plans to stage a protest on 13 October 2023. Furthermore, they alleged that the Christian Munnani is undertaking these actions with the support of certain local politicians. The 13^th Friday meeting has been a grand success, as nearly 25,000 devotees participated volunterrly to register their support and strength and cause. Significantly, many women participated singing slokas and devitional songs.

The support of the Hindu Makkal Katchi: In a recently released video by Indu Makkal Katchi head Arjun Sampath, a Tamil public speaker named Manjunathan expressed strong disapproval for the proposition to rename the sacred Hindu place of worship. He emphasised that Chennimalai holds immense historical and cultural significance in the Erode district, revered by their ancestors for generations. He said that the Christian Munnani’s suggestion to rename the temple has caused distress among Hindus, who have always been supportive of other communities without animosity. This effort to rename the temple is influenced by political motives and stated firmly that such actions will not succeed. He encouraged support for the protest against Christian Munnani’s divisive proposal on 13 October 2023. It is noteworthy to mention here that an entire hill of in Tamil Nadu was encroached by Christian missionaries for years. The Vajragiri hill located about 95 km from Chennai along the Chennai-Trichy highway, atop which exists the Pasupathiswarar temple was encroached and there were allegations of local Hindus being denied access to the temple.

Similar Incidents in Tamil Nadu: Legal Proceedings and Court Rulings: The Chennimalai controversy is not an isolated incident in Tamil Nadu. There have been ongoing disputes related to religious sites, encroachments, and attempts to rename sacred places, particularly involving Hindu temples and hills. These incidents have led to longstanding tensions and demands for government intervention. In a series of contentious incidents affecting Tamil Nadu’s heritage and religious sites, allegations of land encroachments and disputes have captured the public’s attention. These ongoing disputes have caused unrest among the local communities, sparking legal battles and debates. Located approximately 95 kilometers from Chennai along the Chennai-Trichy highway, the Vajragiri hill is home to the sacred Pasupathiswarar temple. Local Hindus have alleged that they have been denied access to the temple due to encroachments on the hill. Efforts to reclaim the area from the encroachers have been ongoing for several years, drawing attention to the issue’s complexity and sensitivity.

Jesus Redeems- Lazarus case: The religious organisation, Jesus Redeems, has acquired 108 acres of land in the mountainous region of Thoranamalai, near Kadayam in the Tenkasi district. They have plans to establish a modern city with comprehensive amenities on this land. According to the Jesus Redeems website, the founder, Brother Mohan C Lazarus, claimed to have received divine guidance to acquire this mountainous area. The land was donated by a devotee, raising questions about the nature of the acquisition.

Tiruparangundram- Sikandar Dargah: In a highly contentious case, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court recently refused to halt Islamic activities, including namaz, on the Thiruparankundram hill, which is also home to the Sri Subramanya Swamy temple. This dispute has intensified as some groups seek to rename the hill as ‘Sikkandar hill,’ alleging a saint by that name passed away on the hill. The court’s decision to permit namaz activities for 30 minutes, particularly during Bakrid, has ignited tensions in the region. Thiruparankundram is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, making this a matter of significant religious importance.

Tiruprangundram encroachment, a blot on the Muslims: Local Hindu organizations have long been opposing such encroachments and are urging the government to take action in removing the encroachers. They contend that such incidents are part of a larger pattern and are jeopardizing Tamil Nadu’s heritage and religious sites. These disputes continue to simmer and have become emblematic of the broader challenges faced by religious and heritage sites in the region. Legal proceedings and court rulings have played a role in shaping these disputes. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court refused to stay namaz and other Islamic activities on Thiruparankundram hill, where the Sri Subramanya Swamy temple is located. This emboldened certain groups to carry out activities on the hill, leading to allegations of encroachment and opposition from Hindu outfits.

The Christian encroachment of Chennimalai illegal: The attempt to rename the Chennimalai Murugan Temple, the unauthorised Christian prayer meetings, and the ensuing tensions have created a complex and sensitive situation in Tamil Nadu. As devotees march to Chennimalai in protest and various political and religious groups become involved, the issue continues to evolve. The broader context of similar incidents in the state and legal challenges underscores the complexity of religious matters in the region, demanding attention and resolution from all stakeholders. The unfortunate, but, naked truth have been the total silence of the authorities in the encroachment. That is why the Christians have been emboldened and continue to encroach and occupy lands

© Vedaprakash

14-10-2023

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[1] The Commune, “Christian Munnani” Calls For Renaming Murugan Temple Site Chennimalai As “Kalvaari/Yesu Malai”, Hindu Orgs Announce Protest, October 11, 2023

[2] https://thecommunemag.com/christian-munnani-calls-for-renaming-murugan-temple-site-chennimalai-as-kalvaari-yesu-malai-hindu-orgs-announces-protest/

[3] Times of India, Hindu Munnani protests against Christian missionaries, TNN / Oct 14, 2023, 08:47 IST.

[4] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/hindu-munnani-protests-against-christian-missionaries/articleshow/104413115.cms?from=mdr

[5] The Organizer, Tamil Nadu: Religious tension mounts as Hindu devotees protest attempt to rename Chennimalai Murugan temple, T S Venkatesan Oct 11, 2023, 02:45 pm IST.

[6] https://organiser.org/2023/10/11/200948/bharat/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-religious-tension-mounts-as-hindu-devotees-protest-attempt-to-rename-chennimalai-murugan-temple/

[7] Swarajya, TN: Hindu Orgs Announce Protest Against Christian Munnani Proposal To Rename Chennimalai Murugan Temple Hill As ‘Yesu/ Kalvaari Malai’, Swarajya staff, Friday, October 13, 2023 12:08 pm IST

[8] https://swarajyamag.com/tamil-nadu/tn-hindu-orgs-announce-protest-against-christian-munnani-proposal-to-rename-chennimalai-murugan-temple-hill-as-yesu-kalvaari-malai

[9] NewsBharati,  Christian missionaries eye another Hindu temple! Rename Murugan Temple Site Chennimalai As “Kalvaari/Yesu Malai’?,  11-Oct-2023 17:00:10 PM.

[10] https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2023/10/11/Christian-missionaries-eye-on-Murugan-Temple.html

Gospel for Asia, Believers’ Church and Yohannan: Why the Pentecostal Church has been nurtured in spite of its violations of law of the land? (1)

Gospel for Asia, Believers’ Church and Yohannan: Why the Pentacostal Church has been nurtured in spite of its violations of law of the land? (1)

05-11-2020 – IT raided many premises of the Believes Church:The Income Tax (IT) sleuths on 05-11-2020 raided offices and institutions associated with evangelist K P Yohanan’s Believers’ Church in central Kerala and other places and seized Rs five crore currency and other valuables, a senior official who is part of the investigation said[1].Believers’ Church is Pentecostal denomination[2] church having base in USA and the India media never mentions this fact differentiating from the majority Catholic churches prevalent in India, particularly, in Kerala. After the raid, the CBDT informed that “Substantial electronic computing and data storage has been found, which is being examined,” to find out the transactions[3]. One of the officers said the raid which started on 05-11-2020, Thursday was continuing at many places and serious violations of Foreign Contributions Regulation Act and (FCRA) Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) were detected[4]. The searches were carried out on Thursday at 66 premises in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka, Chandigarh, Punjab and Telangana[5]. Though the raid was conducted on 05-11-2020, slowly, the news is being reported in the media. The IT raids conducted in India may or may not be political act, however, the raided organizations, groups and individuals should have been clean in the following the law of this land.

Believers’s church has 30 Trusts involving money transactions[6]: The IT Prese release said the Thiruvalla-based group operates about 30 trusts, registered across the country, and most of them “exist only on paper and have been found to be used for routing unaccounted funds and for accommodation (hawala) transactions[7].  “It has been found that the modus operandi of the group is to systematically inflate expenses with the help of other parties who would return the inflated amount in cash through domestic hawala channels to the functionaries of the group. Some of these other parties were also covered in the search action. During the search action, evidences have been found of systematic inflation of expenses in purchase of consumables, construction expenses, real estate development expenses, payment of salary, etc. The search has led to unearthing of a number of real estate transactions involving unaccounted cash payments. Related documents such as sale agreements, etc have been seized. The group has also inflated the price in real estate transactions to show as if the money received in donations is being spent on the activities of the trusts. The evidence found so far indicate that the siphoning of funds in cash may be running into hundreds of crores of rupees.,” it said[8]. The IT Press release also recorded that, “Unexplained cash of approximately Rs. 6 crore has also been found during the search, including Rs 3.85 crore in a place of worship in Delhi. Substantial electronic computing and data storage has been found, which is being examined. Further investigations are going on”. The Believers’ Church runs a medical college and many other educational institutions in Kerala and other states. It also owns Cheruvally estate in Pathanamthitta district which has been identified as the location for the proposed Sabarimala airport.

The 2003, the grabbing case in the Keala High Court: In 2003 itself, Gospel for Asia was involved with land cases in the Kerala High Court[9]. It filed petition and the details known were: The writ petition is filed challenging Exts.P4, P5 and P8 orders passed under the Kerala Land Utilization Order, 1967 (for short, the KLU Order).

i. The petitioner was given permission under Clause 6 of the KLU Order to reclaim 3.51 hectares comprised in Survey Nos. 95/4, 236/1, 236/2, 236/3, 236/7, 236/8 and 237/8 of Kuttapuzha Village. Permission was granted by the District Collector as per the proceedings dated 20.8.2003.

ii. The petitioner reclaimed 1.53.33 hectares of land situated in Survey Nos.95/1, 2, 3, 6 and 94/6 of Kuttapuzha Village, unauthorizedly, without permission from any authority.

iii. The petitioner also reclaimed a thodu situated in Survey Nos. 236/4 and 237/7 illegally.

Though, the judge note the above facts, after going through the documents, he ordered that, “In such circumstances, this Court is of the view that finding of facts and the directions have no co-relation based on legal aspects and thus the impugned orders are liable to be set aside. Accordingly, the District Collector is directed to pass fresh orders after hearing the petitioner and the party respondents in the light of the discussions as above. Needful shall be done within two months. Needless to say, the District Collector shall obtain necessary details from the Agricultural Officer regarding the status of the land as well as the status of the thodu in the revenue records from the Tahsildar. In view of the above, the impugned orders are set aside.” Thus, it is evident that GFA had support from many quarters for its land grabbing activities.

2012 to 2017 – involved in many violations: In 2012, the state government had ordered a probe against KP Yohannan, as he was receiving foreign contribution by violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act[10]. The accounts were not kept properly.

Gospel for Asia (GFA) is a non-profit missions organization, founded by K. P. Yohannan in 1979, focusing on residents of Asian countries. The organization is located about five miles southwest of Wills Point, Texas, a small community east of Dallas.

The president and founder Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan Metropolitan (formerly known as K. P. Yohannan).

In 2013 also, the Kerala High court ordered[11], “We see substance in the executive wisdom leading to the issuance of that circular. A very cautious approach was adopted by the Additional Chief Secretary in saying that, in case any action is sought to be taken which has a direct impact on the stand taken before the Hon’ble High Court, the concerned officials have to get clear cut directions in writing from the Government in this respect, before proceeding with such proposed action. No change in the status of the said lands by way of ownership, tenure or otherwise, shall be carried out without the approval of the Government. Therefore, the conspectus of the circular takes within its sweep all matters relating to ownership, tenure and such aspects which touch on the status of the lands referable to M/s. Harrisons Malayalam Limited. However, the impugned notices appear to have been issued, with due respect, off-the-cuff, on the premise that the aforesaid circular interdicts all activities by persons in possession. We may, at this juncture, notice that in an earlier round of writ petition, Gospel for Asia had obtained orders from this Court quashing earlier proceedings against it and also an order for return of seigniorage which it had paid under protest. Under such circumstances, it is part of its proprietary rights to carry out necessary actions, to put the land to use, without changing its nature or status; to preserve it and to ensure that, there are no further inter-meddlers. This would also be necessary for it to obey the undertaking or command contained in the different orders, as are pointed out by the learned Special Government Pleader under which, the Gospel for Asia also stands obliged to this Court to protect the property concerned. This includes interdictions against alienations, change of tenure against encumbering etc.”.

In September 2015, GFA lost their 36-year membership in the financial standards advocacy group Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), with the ECFA reporting that GFA had not met many of their required standards[46] of excellence in financial accountability and governance.

 In 2017, the Union home ministry had barred three NGOs associated with the church from accepting funds but the latest raids show fund flow continued from foreign countries in other names. It is alleged that more than Rs 100 crore came in the last three years. A senior I-T official said the department will release details once raids are over. He said raids were based on specific information on tax evasion and misuse of foreign funds. The church said it will give a statement after the conclusion of raids. An independent denomination, the indigenous church has witnessed massive growth in the last one and a half decade and its head KP Yohanan is known for his religious discourses. The 70-year-old priest is the founder and president of Gospel of Asia, a large non-profit evangelist organisation with main focus on India and Asia. He has also authored more than 100 books on Christian living and mission. A controversial religious head, he was in news when the church brought Chreuvally Estate, a rubber and tea plantation spread over 10 kms radius, from plantation group Harrisons Malayalam Limited.

2016 – Youhannan acquired the lands, illegally, BJP leader: Believers’ Church purchased the working rubber plantation — Cheruvally Estate — from the Harrisons Malayalam Ltd company in 2005. According to the Times of India, a high ranking official in the party of Prime Minister Modi claims the church should not be repaid for the property since it was acquired illegally[12]: The government does not need permission from K P Yohannan to set up airport in the Cheruvally estate, BJP national executive member V Muraleedharan said. Muraleedharan said that when the government plans to buy the 2,200 acre Cheruvally estate from the encroachers and set up the airport, it would set a wrong precedence for encroachers of government land in other areas. The opposition was against this move that would set the ground for large-scale corruption, he said. The estate, which was being held by Gospel for Asia headed by K P Yohannan, was part of 5,200 acres that was taken over by the special officer along with the land held by Travancore Rubber and Tea Company Ltd and Riya Resorts and Properties Pvt Ltd. Cheruvalli estate is one among the estates that was sold by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd in 2005 that the government has said, is illegal[13].

© Vedaprakash

08-11-2020

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[1] Hindusthan Times, I-T raids at Kerala church, foreign funding rules violation detected , INDIA, HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, Thiruvanathapuram, Updated: Nov 07, 2020, 11:04 IST.

[2] Pentecostal protestant Christianity has been relating to or denoting any of a number of Christian movements emphasizing baptism in the Holy Spirit, evidenced by ‘speaking in tongues’, prophecy, healing, and exorcism.

[3] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/i-t-raids-at-kerala-church-foreign-funding-rules-violation-detected/story-IgTzC1UnpEYBRkWOGuo2uO.html

[4] The Hindu, Raids bring to light shady deals of Believers Church, STAFF REPORTER, PATHANAMTHITTA, NOVEMBER 06, 2020 18:43 IST; UPDATED: NOVEMBER 06, 2020 18:43 IST.

[5] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/raids-bring-to-light-shady-deals-of-believers-church/article33041420.ece

[6] IT Press frelease dated 06-11-2020;  https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/Lists/Press Releases/Attachments/872/PressRelease_ITD_conducts_searches_in_Kerala_6_11_20.pdf

[7] The Tribune, I-T raids Kerala evangelist, his churches’ group on charges of siphoning donations meant for poor, Posted: Nov 06, 2020 02:06 PM (IST), Updated : 22 hours ago.

[8] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/i-t-raids-kerala-evangelist-his-churches-group-on-charges-of-siphoning-donations-meant-for-poor-166929

[9] Kerala High Court

Gospel For Asia vs State Of Kerala on 20 August, 2003

In the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam.

Petitioners:

Gosper for India, Manjaadi PO, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala State, Represented by Smt. Siny Punnose, Managing Trustee and Chief functionary through her power of attorney holder and General Administrator of the Church,

Jacob Bothen, aged 57 years, s/o late Pothen, Theradiyal House, Niranam West Muri, Niranam Village, Thiruvalla Thaluk. https://indiankanoon.org/doc/113281329/

[10] Mathrubhumi, I-T raid at headquarters of Believers’ Church in Thiruvalla, Nov 5, 2020, 10:42 AM IST.

https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/i-t-raid-at-headquarters-of-believers-church-in-thiruvalla-1.5185090

[11]     Kerala High Court, Gospel For Asia vs The State Of Kerala on 28 February, 2013.

WP(C).No. 7379 of 2012 (V).

Kerala High Court

Gospel For Asia vs State Of Kerala on 20 August, 2003

In the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam.

Petitioners:

Gosper for India, Manjaadi PO, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala State, Represented by Smt. Siny Punnose, Managing Trustee and Chief functionary through her power of attorney holder and General Administrator of the Church,

Jacob Bothen, aged 57 years, s/o late Pothen, Theradiyal House, Niranam West Muri, Niranam Village, Thiruvalla Thaluk.

https://indiankanoon.org/doc/117264200/

[12] Times of India, ‘Yohannan has no stake in Cheruvally estate’,TNN | Dec 7, 2016, 10:16 IST.

[13] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Yohannan-has-no-stake-in-Cheruvally-estate/articleshow/55842542.cms

ECI Church at Tiruneermalai demolished as per the Court order, as it was built on encroached land illegally!

ECI Church at Tiruneermalai demolished as per the Court order, as it was built on encroached land illegally!

Ezra’s method of encroaching land and appropriate it with political clout: The ECI has been in the habit of encroaching “Porumboke[1]” government lands and building Church. Ezra Sargunam in his book, he has openly urged his followers to do so violating acts and rules and they have been behaving in this way for the last 50 years.  Earlier in his book, he has openly recorded that there is nothing wrong in land grabbing[2]. That is whatever is done in the name of Jesus, it is allowed. Again, there have been court cases, involving him with land grabbing. As he has been close to Karunanidhi, he has been manipulating and getting along. However, in between, there have been court cases, where, he was pulled up and exposed. In Gujarat case also, it was exposed and Karunanidhi nexus revealed openly[3]. He was about to be arrested for trespassing lad, but, Karunanidhi ordered him to return[4].

Church planting in India by any means: The UK website, typically, describes his activities, “Bishop Sargunam is well known for his work in India and has a very clear vision. His Great Commission is to plant 100,000 churches, disciple 10 million people and to train and equip 30,000 frontline Church planters by their centenary year in 2054[5]. This may sound impossible to many but he said their trust is in the Holy Spirit which they are constantly experiencing. He also went on to say ” We expect great things from God and attempt great things from God” just like Williams Carey, the father of the Modern Missionary Movement. Bishop Sargunam said they have a clear track record of achieving their goals as they started with the aim of planting 100 churches in the 70’s, then moved on to 1,000 churches in the 90’s when ‘God’s promise to us was, “a little one shall become a thousand”, which we achieved, and so we went on to dream big and open 2,000 churches by the year 2000’ which, by God’s grace, they achieved”[6].

Ezra Sargunam explains how to encroach poramboke land and construct a church: As pointed out in his book, he has explained how a poramboke land can be encroached, occupied and owned in a step by step strategy[7].

1. Just assemble at a place under the guise of conducting prayer [after identifying it as poramboke land].
2. Conduct regularly and put up a thatched shed [to claim some sort of ownership on it].
3. Convert into pacca gudisai – thatched-roofed house [implying permanent structure put up and awaiting electrical connection and all].
4. Then convert it into a big thatched hall with the help of local police [electrical connection given, Patta given].
5. Then build the structure with bricks and roof with ACC [illegal construction completed].

Ezra Sargunam claims that the DMK would help[8] and thus none could question his activities. It has to be noted that American evangelists appreciated his illegal activities[9] without going into the details of such illegal activities. Now the demolition of illegal church news has come in the media. Would they realize, repent and correct themselves? No, they twist it into a manner in a rabble-rousing manner, “Christians persecuted in India, churches demolished,” and so on, suppressing all illegal activities, violation of Acts and Rules etc.

ECI encroached Citlapakkan lake and constructed church – 2017: In the latter half of November 2017, as bulldozers razed some unauthorised religious structures that stood tall on Chitlapakkam Lake for years, hordes of curious onlookers gathered on the streets, pausing their daily chores. Led by senior IAS officer P Amudha, the Public Works Department demolished a few temples, a mosque and a church that residents have been emotionally and spiritually connected to, for decades. On the banks of a water body in Anakaputhur, an ECI church has found space since many years[10]. A large portion of the lake was encroached upon by the Anakaputhur Municipality itself when it constructed overhead water tanks, parks and public toilets. Explaining the pattern of encroachment, David Manohar of NGO Arappor Iyakkam says[11], “An entire residential locality emerged on the water body, after which a church was constructed. No objections were raised against the religious structures as they are partners in crime. Religious emotion plays a role too.”

ECI Tiruneermalai Church –January 2020, HC ordered to demolish: The Madras High Court has directed the Pallavaram Tahsildar to remove an encroachment put up by the Evangelical Church of India (ECI) on government hill poramboke in Tiruneermalai within eight weeks[12]. A division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice R Hemalatha gave the direction on a contempt petition moved by one V Balachandran, alleging wilful disobedience and non-compliance by the Land Administration Secretary of the order dated June 19, 2019, which had directed the Revisional Authority to dispose of the revision filed by ECI challenging the demolition order. After ECI encroached the land and constructed a church, a representation was submitted in 2002 to the Kancheepuram Collector, who in turn directed the Tambaram Tahsildar to evict and report within 48 hours. In the legal battle that followed, the court had held in 2010 and 2012 that the church has to be removed. Despite that, and even after the latest order in 2019, the encroachment was not removed, said the petition. After perusing the proceedings by the Collector, Land Administration Commissioner and the order of the Revisional Authority dated January 8, the bench led by Justice Sathyanarayanan said: “The ECI, with absolute impunity, had encroached upon the land belonging to the government and not stopping with that, has also put up a wholly unauthorised structure in the form of a religious structure.” Directing its demolition, the bench asked the police to provide protection for removing it. The bench also directed the Pallavaram Tahsildar to verify religious and other structures on government land, and file a status report on the removal of encroachments and demolish unauthorised structures. The plea was posted to March 6, 2020, for reporting compliance[13].

March 2020, as per the court order, it is demolished: As the case was coming up on March 6, 2020, the authorities got alerted and tried to do something. Thus, they had gone there with police support and started demolishing as per the court directions. The revenue department officials had gone there under the Tashildhar Rajendra, with JCB crane and all. Police Assistant Commissioners Asokan, Sahadevan also preset with 100 policemen. As usual, the Christians tried to create a scene, but, they were evicted, arrested and sent in a van. Of course, evening, they were released. However, Ezra Sargunam was not seen in the context and his response not heard. No media goes to him and asks his reaction, about the court action. None asked him as to how he could grab land and the court’s order is also not respected by him and his followers.

© Vedaprakash

06-03-2020

[1] the word…“poramboke lands” means the lands which is not assessed to revenue records and it is outside the revenue accounts.

[2] M. Ezra Sargunam, Multiplying Churches in India: An Experiment in Madras, Federation of Evangelical Churches of India, 1974, Madras, pp141-142.

[3] Veaprakash, Ezra Sargunam, Church planting, land grabbing, politics and communalization under the guise of secularization!, November 14, 2017.

[4] https://indiainteracts.wordpress.com/2017/11/14/ezra-sargunam-church-planting-land-grabbing-politics-and-communalization-under-the-guise-of-secularization/

[5] St.David Diocese, Pioneer Church Planter in India, St Davids Diocesan Board of Finance is a company registered in England and Wales.

[6] https://stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk/pioneer-church-planter-in-india/

[7]  M. Ezra Sargunam, Multiplying Churches in India: An Experiment in Madras, Federation of Evangelical Churches of India, 1974, Madras, p.97.

[8] Ezra Sargunam, Multiplying Churches in India: An Experiment in Madras, Federation of Evangelical Churches of India, 1974, Madras, pp141-142.

[9] Donald A. McGavran, Understanding Church Growth, Eerdmans Pubishing Comany, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 1990, p.305

[10] Chenni.citizen.matters, Demolition of religious structures in Chitlapakkam raises hope for Chennai lakes, January 2, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

[11] http://chennai.citizenmatters.in/demolition-temple-church-mosque-encroachment-in-chitlapakkam-chennai-lake-3276

[12] DTnext, Raze ECI church on govt land: HC, Published: Jan 15,202002:58 AM

[13] https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2020/01/15025833/1209568/Raze-ECI-church-on-govt-land-HC.vpf

Ezra Sargunam, Church planting, land grabbing, politics and communalization under the guise of secularization!

Ezra Sargunam, Church planting, land grabbing, politics and communalization under the guise of secularization!

The controversial Christian priest Ezra Shargunam and his land grabbing activities: In September 2017, when there was rumour about M. Karunanidhi, Ezra Sargunam gave interview to the media and certified that[1], “I met Karunanidhi, he is doing well….He looked at me……” It was surprise for many, as why a Christian priest should have done it, particularly, when Karunanidhi has been an atheist. Of course, Ezra’s role in political circles is considered as “broking”.  While Vaiko is criticized recently [this month, November 2017] for his “Christian” leanings and “crypto-Christian” activities, ironically, he himself dubbed Ezra Sargunam as “false-prophet” citing Bible[2]. He warned that people like him are tigers roaming with sheep’s skin. Thus, the role of Ezra has been intriguing on many accounts. Earlier in his book, he has openly recorded that there is nothing wrong in land grabbing[3]. That is whatever is done in the name of Jesus, it is allowed. Again, there have been court cases, involving him with land grabbing. In this context, what had happened 17 years ago in Gujarat, becomes important in the context.  Interestingly, the same Ezra Sargunam played a crucial role there. He was reportedly involved in a land grabbing case, where he tried to interfere and created “law and order problem.” As he had gone there as “the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission,” the state authoties pointed out that he was out of jurisdiction and hence they could take action to arrest him for violations. Thus, he prepared to move bail to save his honour. The Gujarat Government also complained to the Government of Tamilnadu.

Karunanidhi asked Ezra Sargunam to return, as he exceeded limits: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, has asked the president of the Evangelical Society of India and chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission, Bishop Ezra Sargunam, to leave Gujarat and return home immediately, according to the Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Mr. Haren Pandya, here today [06-12-2000][4]. Mr. Pandya showed reporters a copy of the fax message sent by Mr. Karunanidhi to his Gujarat counterpart, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, urging the Bishop in Vyara hospital in Surat district, to return home[5]. The message also assured the Bishop that the issue of alleged attack on a church in Chhindia village of Vyara taluka, against which he launched an indefinite fast, could be taken up with an “appropriate authority” later. The Bishop was forcibly admitted to the Vyara Civil Hospital yesterday [05-12-2000] after his condition deteriorated.

Ezra was trying to instigate local Christians: The message, Mr. Pandya said, was in response to a request sent by the State Government pointing out that the Bishop was “trying to instigate” Christians in Chhindia village and creating a “law and order problem”. The Tamil Nadu Government was also informed that the chairman of its Minority Commission had “no jurisdiction” over Gujarat and had adopted a stance of non- cooperation with the authorities. Virtually blaming the Christians for the dispute over the church in the village, Mr. Pandya said the Government would take “stern action” against anyone found “instigating” people. It was a “deliberate scheme” of the Christians to “defame the BJP government in the State”, he claimed.

Christian plot to grab the land of a tribal: Denying knowledge of the involvement of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the incident of November 26 as alleged by the All-India Christian Council, the Minister said the land on which the “so- called church” was functioning actually belonged to Mr. Puniyabhai Ukadiabhai Kotwalia, a local tribal. Mr. Puniyabhai, who became a Christian some time ago, recently re-converted to Hinduism. On November 29, the Christian Council lodged a complaint with the Vyara police stating that a group of VHP activists “attacked the church” in Chhindia village on November 26 and “desecrated it”. Mr. Puniayabhai, meanwhile, accused Christian leaders of “forcibly entering” the “premises owned by him” and taking away the picture of a Hindu deity.

Conversion trick to create communal tension: While the Council spokesman, Mr. Samson Christian, said the piece of land was jointly owned by seven persons who together handed it over to the local Christian community for building a church in 1996, Mr. Pandya claimed that according to government records, Mr. Puniyabhai was sole owner of the land and inherited it from his father. The “church” was actually a room in his residence which he had “allowed local Christians to use as a prayer hall,” Mr. Pandya said. Mr. Christian had accused the local police of working hand-in- glove with the VHP in attacking the church in the presence of senior government officials including the District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police. Mr. Pandya said the Revenue Department gave Mr. Puniyabhai ownership of the land in June, 1992, as he was cultivating it since 1975. Under the Tenancy Act, he had no authority to sell or re-allocate it to anyone else without the prior permission of the Government and there was no question of his giving the land for construction of a church. But after Mr. Puniyabhai became a Christian in 1995, one of the rooms was used by local Christians as a prayer hall. He re-converted to Hinduism six months ago and since then has refused permission for the room to be used as a church.

Land grabbing Ezra’s style carried on in Gujarat: Contrary to Mr. Samson Christian’s claims, Mr. Pandya said a group of Christians forcibly entered the room on November 26 and removed the picture of a Hindu deity. On a complaint filed by Mr. Puniyabhai, the Vyara civil court issued a stay on December 1 against the use of the land by either sides and fixed the hearing on December 12. The issue could have been resolved earlier but for the adjournment sought twice on November 30 and December 4 by the local Christians on its hearing, Mr. Pandya claimed. He alleged that Bishop Sargunam went on an indefinite fast only after the civil court granted the stay. The Christian Council also filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court against the stay granted by the Vyara civil court. Mr. Pandya also refuted the Council’s claim that 200 Christians had migrated from the village after November 26. The Vyara social justice committee chairman along with some other officials visited the village and found that all the people were staying in their respective houses, he said. No migration had taken place as claimed by Mr. Christian, he stated and pointed out that in the village with a population of 1,500, over 75 per cent were Hindus and the rest Christians.

Local Court granted bail for Ezra, thus escaped from arrest[6]: The Vyara civil court today [14-12-2000] granted anticipatory bail to Bishop Ezra Sargunam, the national president of the Evangelical Church of India, but refused him permission to enter any place within its jurisdiction, which include Chhindia village in south Gujarat, where a church of his denomination was allegedly attacked on November 26, 2000. The Bishop, who is also the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission, had filed the anticipatory bail following a criminal complaint filed against him and a few others by the “owner” of the piece of land on which the church stood, Mr. Punyabhai Kotwalia, for allegedly “trespassing” on his property[7]. The Bishop had launched an indefinite fast in front of the church on November 29 demanding restoration of the church, which the Christians claimed was desecrated during the attack and converted into a temple. The Vyara civil court, while granting a stay on December 1 on Mr Punyabhai’s petition that the land was his “personal property,” had also directed the Bishop to stay away from Vyara taluka. The Bishop, who is still here meeting with other Christian leaders, had made it clear that he would take a decision on the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi’s message to return to Chennai only “in consultation with the leaders of the secular forces.”

Ezra indulged in objectionable activities: The Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Mr. Haren Pandya, when asked about the Vyara civil court’s order, said the State Government would ensure that the court order was “strictly implemented” hinting that it would not hesitate to arrest the Bishop if he made any attempt to return to Vyara or Chhindia. The State Home Secretary, Dr V. V. Rama Subba Rao, has written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, informing him about the “objectionable activities” of the Bishop in the State. Like the Chief Minister, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, who wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart twice requesting him to recall the Bishop, Dr. Subba Rao has also requested the Chief Secretary to take immediate steps to ensure that the Bishop stopped “interfering” with the law and order situation in the State[8]. In fact, his refusal to leave, created tension in the area[9]. Meanwhile, the State Government has decided to make elaborate security arrangements in the south Gujarat districts to ensure peace during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. At a meeting of the district collectors and district superintendents of police of Surat, Bulsar, Navsari and Dangs districts convened here today by Mr. Pandya and Dr. Subba Rao, it was decided to deploy adequate number of state reserve police and anti-riot Rapid Action Force personnel in the four districts to assist the local police and home guards to maintain peace during the celebrations.

PTI reports from Surat: The sessions court today banned the entry of Bishops Ezra Sargunam and Fr. Raive Ishudas of Chennai into the Vyara sub- division, without the written permission from the court. According to the conditions imposed by the court on the Bishops, the orders would be applicable till the chargesheet was filed against them. The court allowed anticipatory bail applications by the Bishops and dismissed the criminal application filed by Shankarbhai Gamit of Vyara. The Vyara police was directed to enlarge the two Bishops on bail on their furnishing a solvent surity of Rs. 5000 with a personal bond for the like sum each in the event of their arrest in an offence registered by the Vyara police station.  The same news was also reproduced by the Catholic news agency it its own way[10]. “An Indian court has banned a Protestant bishop from entering the area of a disputed chapel in a ruling the bishop says was politically motivated to harass Christians….. Bishop Sargunam, vice chairman of the Minorities Commission of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, said he left Gujarat after state authorities refused to meet him…….. The Protestant bishop told UCA News that he had to leave the area because of the state government´s partisan approach toward Christians. Anti-Christian attacks in Gujarat are “State-sponsored vandalism,” he said. More than 100 attacks against Christians have been reported in Gujarat in the last two years.” Thus, the persecution myth went on in their own way[11].

© Vedaprakash

14-11-2017

[1] http://www.tamil8.com/watch.php?vid=f5e16b702

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a08ptEvj1dQ

[3] M. Ezra Sargunam, Multiplying Churches in India: An Experiment in Madras, Federation of Evangelical Churches of India, 1974, Madras, pp141-142.

https://christianityindia.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/nothing-illegal-in-encroaching-land-for-church/

[4] The Hindu, Karunanidhi asks T.N. Bishop in Gujarat to return, By Manas Dasgupta, Thursday, December 07, 2000.

[5] http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/07/stories/0207000l.htm

[6] The Hindu, Bail granted to Bishop, By Manas Dasgupta, Friday, December 15, 2000

[7] http://www.thehindu.com/2000/12/15/stories/02150005.htm

[8] The Tribune, Bishop’s refusal to leave causes unrest, December 9, 2000.

[9] http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001210/nation.htm – 8

[10] UCAnews, Protestant bishop leaves after Hindu state head refuses to meet, December 15, 2000.

[11] https://www.ucanews.com/story-archive/?post_name=/2000/12/15/protestant-bishop-leaves-after-hindu-state-head-refuses-to-meet&post_id=17391