. CHENNAI: Holding that mala fide intent could not be ruled out in a proposal to build a church in the vicinity of a Hindu temple, Madras HC has stayed its construction in Coimbatore.”Coimbatore is a communally sensitive city. It witnessed bomb blasts and bloody religious riots. The proposed church would come up within a stone’s throw from the existing Mariyamman Temple. There are only a handful of Christian families. If a large church is proposed to be constructed in the vicinity of the Mariyamman Temple, mala fide intentions cannot be ruled out,” a division bench of Justices G R Swaminathan and V Lakshminarayanan said.The court said it would also take on record the submission of the petitioner that since a new govt led by C Joseph Vijay was formed, “posters have appeared in some parts of Tamil Nadu calling for construction of churches in every village”.The interim order was passed on a plea by N Balasubramaniyam opposing the construction of a church at Kalapatty in Coimbatore. “The petitioner hints at the possibility of the new building being a centre of conversion activity. 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,” the judges said.The court said the situation would have been different if the construction was proposed on a patta land whose title was beyond dispute, there was no religious structure belonging to any other community in the immediate vicinity or if there was no opposition. In the case at hand, however, revenue records indicated the site was a public road, the location was too close to an old temple, and there was vigorous resistance, the HC added.The court also placed on record the submission of the petitioner that TN assembly speaker JCD Prabhakar quoted Bible verses in his inaugural address to the legislative assembly.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi, Trump Hold Bilateral Talks On Hormuz, Seafarers, Defence, Trade TiesSpeaker to Hear TMC and Rebel Camps Before Deciding on Breakaway Faction’s Claim’If India Comes Under Attack And Modi Is The Leader, US Will Help’: Trump’It’s A Rough…’: Trump Reacts To Indian Seafarers’ Deaths As PM Modi Raises ConcernsAfter BJP Exit, Annamalai Eyes New Political Party With Growing Membership Base’We Are Prepared’: Akhilesh Yadav Rejects Split Buzz, Accuses BJP of Engineering Defections | WatchRevolt-Hit TMC Asked to Vacate Kolkata Headquarters Amid Lease DisputeIndia Blocks Telegram Ahead Of NEET Re-Exam, But It Remains Operational On VPNAs NEET Re-Exam Nears, Two Young Aspirants Die By Suicide In Delhi And DehradunUS Map Shows PoJK As Pakistan’s Part, Drops ‘Indo’ From Pacific Command Name123Photostories5 luxury residential regions in Greater Noida attracting premium homebuyersWhat to do when your child is angry: Parents share most effective techniques that almost invariably workedRupali Ganguly’s rise to fame: From a filmmaker’s daughter to Indian television’s leading ladyHow to recognize manipulation: 5 life skills parents must teach children6 fun, cute and unique souvenirs you must bring home from JapanYou may not notice these health problems after 40 until it’s too late: The essential tests every man needsTop 10 safest countries in the world in 2026; what travellers should know5 signs of narcissism – And 3 ways on how to deal with a narcissist, reveals pyschologist Dr Ramani DurvasulaPrincess Diana’s timeless beauty secrets that are still relevant today10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by spring flowers123Hot PicksLionel Messi WifeVaibhav SooryavanshiDehradun NEET Aspirant DieFIFA World Cup Free Live Streamingilia topuriaIND vs AFG ScorecardUGC NET admit cardNHL TradeTyson Fury vs Anthony JoshuaTop TrendingSairaj BahutaleFrance vs Senegal Live ScoreKarley SwindelFIFA World Cup 2026Jewar Noida International AirportHormuz BlockadeSpaceXCBSE 10th Second Board Result 2026Eknath ShindeAustria vs Jordan Match Result
CHENNAI: Holding that mala fide intent could not be ruled out in a proposal to build a church in the vicinity of a Hindu temple, Madras HC has stayed its construction in Coimbatore.“Coimbatore is a communally sensitive city. It witnessed bomb blasts and bloody religious riots. The proposed church would come up within a stone’s throw from the existing Mariyamman Temple. There are only a handful of Christian families. If a large church is proposed to be constructed in the vicinity of the Mariyamman Temple, mala fide intentions cannot be ruled out,” a division bench of Justices G R Swaminathan and V Lakshminarayanan said.The court said it would also take on record the submission of the petitioner that since a new govt led by C Joseph Vijay was formed, “posters have appeared in some parts of Tamil Nadu calling for construction of churches in every village”.The interim order was passed on a plea by N Balasubramaniyam opposing the construction of a church at Kalapatty in Coimbatore. “The petitioner hints at the possibility of the new building being a centre of conversion activity. 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,” the judges said.The court said the situation would have been different if the construction was proposed on a patta land whose title was beyond dispute, there was no religious structure belonging to any other community in the immediate vicinity or if there was no opposition. In the case at hand, however, revenue records indicated the site was a public road, the location was too close to an old temple, and there was vigorous resistance, the HC added.The court also placed on record the submission of the petitioner that TN assembly speaker JCD Prabhakar quoted Bible verses in his inaugural address to the legislative assembly.
