Madras High Court Stays Church Construction Near Coimbatore Temple, Cites Communal Concerns

Chennai, June 18, 2026: The Madras High Court has stayed the construction of a proposed church near the Mariyamman Temple in Coimbatore, observing that concerns regarding “mala fide intentions” could not be ruled out.

A division bench comprising Justices G R Swaminathan and V Lakshminarayanan issued the interim order while hearing a petition filed by N Balasubramaniyam. The court noted Coimbatore’s history of communal tensions and stated that the proposed church’s location, close to an existing Hindu temple, had led to objections.

The bench observed that revenue records indicated the disputed site was a public road. The court stated that the circumstances would have been different if the proposed construction was on private land with a clear title, without any nearby religious structures or opposition from the local community.

The court also recorded the petitioner’s submission claiming that the proposed building could potentially become a centre for conversion activities. However, the bench emphasised India’s secular framework, stating that religious rights must be protected when legally established.

“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 observed.

The court also took note of submissions regarding recent political statements and posters allegedly calling for the construction of churches across villages in Tamil Nadu.

The interim order has halted the construction while the matter remains under judicial consideration.

Courtesy: The Times of India