Financial Dispute Turns Violent At Madurai CSI Church; Validates HC Push For Statutory Body For Christian Institution Regulation

A clash erupted between two groups at a church in Madurai over disputes concerning the church’s management and financial records, and a case has been filed against three individuals in connection with the conflict.

The incident occurred during a special prayer service held 4 November 2024, morning at the CSI Church in Keelavasal, Madurai district, where over 100 people gathered for the meeting led by Pastor Raja Stalin.

During the service, a heated argument broke out between members of the old and new church administrations. The dispute centered on issues regarding the church’s bankruptcy, income, and expenditure accounts. Tensions escalated into a physical altercation.

Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Vilakkuthoon police arrived at the scene to investigate.

Abraham, a member of the pastor’s group, filed a complaint with the police, leading to the registration of a case against three individuals, including Duraisingham. In response, Duraisingham, Raja Selvam, and Joseph Vasudevan, representing the opposing group, also lodged a formal complaint against the pastor’s side.

The police are continuing their investigation, and according to their statement, “The case is still pending in court due to an ongoing dispute between the two factions over the administration of the CSI Church. The conflict appears to have escalated because Pastor Raja Stalin is being accused of partisanship. We are continuing to look into the matter.”

A video capturing the altercation has since gone viral on social media, further drawing attention to the church’s internal conflict.

Following the viral video of a church clash in Madurai, there has been growing public demand for greater accountability in Christian institutions, in line with a recent suggestion by the Madras High Court. The court has urged the Union and Tamil Nadu governments to consider establishing a statutory board, similar to the Waqf Board, to oversee the assets, funds, and entities such as hospitals and schools run by Christian organizations.

Justice N. Sathish Kumar, in his ruling, noted that while charitable endowments of Hindus and Muslims are subject to statutory oversight, no such regulation exists for Christian institutions. He pointed out that current scrutiny is limited to legal suits under Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which deals with the management of charitable trusts. Emphasizing the need for a permanent solution, Justice Sathish Kumar argued that Christian institutions, which perform vital public functions, require better protection and regulation to ensure their financial and administrative stability. He also highlighted the frequent internal disputes within churches that drain resources and hinder proper functioning.

The court has directed both the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Tamil Nadu’s Chief Secretary to file reports on the issue.

(With inputs from Kamadenu)

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