In a significant win for the residents of Yadgarpally village, Rangareddy District, Telangana, a three-year struggle to prevent the illegal establishment of a church has come to a successful conclusion. The conflict began in 2021 when a non-local pastor, Isreal Naik, purchased land in the village, despite there being no Christian residents, and set up a small shed for church activities. Ignoring repeated objections from the villagers about noise pollution, Naik continued with his activities, prompting the locals to seek intervention from the police. The authorities advised the pastor to obtain official permission for the proper functioning of the church.
In response, Pastor Naik applied to the Gram Panchayat for permission to build the church. Alerted by this development, the villagers filed a petition with the Panchayat, signed by all the residents, objecting to the proposed church construction, citing that it would not benefit the “no-Christian village.” In October 2021, a special Gram Sabha was convened, and a unanimous resolution was passed against the church. Respecting the villagers’ stand, the Gram Panchayat halted the pastor’s application.
However, Pastor Naik did not relent. He escalated the issue to the District Collector and later filed a writ petition in the High Court, seeking intervention to compel the district administration to approve the construction. Surprisingly, the reports submitted to the District Collector by the Panchayat, Revenue, and Intelligence departments recommended approval, failing to reflect the strong opposition from the village.
In 2023, unaware of the villagers’ objections, the High Court directed the District Collector to make a prompt decision based on regulations. Concerned by the apparent bias in the administration’s approach, the villagers renewed their efforts. They resubmitted copies of their Gram Sabha resolutions and other objection documents to the District Collector, signaling their intent to pursue further legal action if necessary.
Fearing a legal battle, officials ultimately rejected the pastor’s application, citing the absence of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the villagers. The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), an organization that played a key role in supporting the villagers, extended its legal advise and praised their determination and knowledge in resisting the unauthorized construction. LRPF lauded the villagers’ success, calling it a victory for local governance and the preservation of village integrity.
Speaking to Organiser, LRPF’s working president, A.S. Santosh, highlighted that this case reflects a broader pattern of illegal church constructions exploiting rural communities. “The Yadgarpally victory showcases how external entities often ignore local concerns and push through unauthorized constructions. This case serves as an example of how Gram Sabha resolutions can safeguard village interests,” he stated. LRPF emphasized that the outcome in Yadgarpally should serve as a model for other villages facing similar challenges. It demonstrated that the power of the Gram Sabha and the collective will of the people can effectively protect against exploitation.
The Yadgarpally case underscores a larger issue in rural India, where external religious organizations, often with foreign backing, attempt to bypass local governance and impose their presence on unsuspecting communities. The villagers’ success serves as a reminder that informed local governance and the collective voice of the people can preserve the cultural identity and integrity of rural areas.
Arise Bharat 
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