Construction of places of worship: HC stays Kerala government order

Govt. had entrusted local bodies with power to grant clearance

The Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed a government order (GO) entrusting local bodies with the power to grant clearance for construction of religious places of worship. Justice N. Nagaresh passed the interim order on a writ petition filed by Fr. Joy Pulikkottil, vicar, St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Syrian Orthodox Church, Chalissery, Palakkad, challenging the government order. According to the petitioner, as per the Manual of Guidelines to Prevent and Control Disturbances and to Promote Communal Harmony, 2005, prior approval and clearance of the District Collector was necessary for the construction of religious places (churches, mosques, temples and so on). However, through an amendment brought in 2021 to the manual, permission of the local body (panchayat or municipality) alone was made necessary.