The villagers of South Eranthai in Tirunelveli district successfully halted a Christian family’s unauthorized construction of a church on public land. They raised black flags during a two-day sit-in protest at a local temple, prompting officials to intervene and stop the construction.
#நெல்லை புறநகர், நாங்குநேரி ஒன்றியத்துக்கு உட்பட்ட தெற்கு ஏறாந்தையில் உரிய அனுமதி இல்லாமல் பொது இடத்தில் #சர்ச் கட்டுவதற்கு ஊர் மக்கள் சார்பில் எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவித்து, ஊர் முழுவதும் #கருப்பு கொடி கட்டி கோயில் வளாகத்தில் தொடர் உள்ளிருப்பு போராட்டம் இரண்டு நாட்களாக நடைபெற்று வந்த pic.twitter.com/IfUjT4jM3S
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 14, 2024
A newly converted Christian family in a predominantly Hindu village near Nanguneri Union began building a church on public land.
The family continued construction despite protests from residents who suggested the family either worship at home or build the church on authorized private land, Hindu Munnani said.
South Eranthai, a village near Thisayanvilai in the Tirunelveli District, is predominantly Hindu, with 130 families.
The previous day, villagers conducted a hunger strike at the Uchimakali Amman temple to protest the unauthorized church construction. They also displayed black flags on their homes to symbolise their dissent.
Village leader Dhana Singh stated, “Since their conversion, the family has disrupted Hindu temple ceremonies. They are now constructing a church without the necessary approvals from the revenue department or police. Despite authorities’ orders to halt construction, work continues. We demand action on this issue. Else, we will stop sending our children to local schools and colleges and intensify our protest.”
Illegal Prayer House Next To Marungoor Vinayaka Temple
In a similar issue, the Hindu Munnani recently filed a formal complaint with the Thittacheri police station in Nagapattinam district, requesting a ban on an illegal prayer house opposite the Vinayaka temple on Marungoor Main Road, which allegedly sought to convert temple visitors.
“This prayer group is brainwashing poor Hindus with the intent of converting them to Christianity. They are also targeting patients in government hospitals under the guise of missionary work and pressuring them to convert. This illegal activity should be stopped, and action should be taken against them,” their petition states.
பொது இடம் ஆக்கிரமித்து சர்ச்;
போராட்டம் துவக்கிய கிராம மக்கள்!#Publicspace | #Villagersprotest | #SouthEranthai | #churchconstruction | #Tirunelveli https://t.co/y4W3uzOWeZ pic.twitter.com/tuVl0NhSqP— Dinamalar (@dinamalarweb) August 12, 2024
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