Arise Bharat

In a move that has left citizens bewildered and outraged, the Andhra Pradesh government has abruptly withdrawn its much-needed directive investigating unauthorized Churches operating illegally within panchayat jurisdictions—raising serious questions about its commitment to upholding the law.

The now-canceled order, issued on February 10, 2025 vide a Memo No. 2712164/CPR&RD/D8/2024, had tasked District Panchayat Officers in all 26 districts with investigating churches functioning without mandatory approvals from District Collectors. The directive had called for legal action against violators under the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act and the Gram Panchayat Land Development Rules – 2002, backed by G.O.Ms. No. 376 of 2012. The order itself came in response to growing public concern, highlighted by Prasanna Kumar Peddireddy, a vigilant resident from Palakollu, West Godavari district, who formally complained about the unchecked proliferation of illegal church constructions.

Following the directive, the District Collector of West Godavari wasted no time in initiating the process, instructing the relevant authorities—including the District Panchayat Officer, Revenue Divisional Officers, and Municipal Commissioners—to take immediate action as per the law. An Action Taken Report (ATR) was duly requested to ensure accountability.

However, in a stunning display of inconsistency and apparent capitulation, the government reversed its stance on March 5, 2025. The Commissioner of Panchayati Raj & Rural Development (PR&RD), via a memo signed by K. Anand, OSD (Panchayats), hastily nullified the February 10 order. Officials were abruptly told to suspend all investigations and disregard the previous instructions entirely.

This sudden about-face has drawn widespread condemnation from vigilant citizens, legal observers, and activists who see the move as a clear failure of governance. Critics argue that the government’s withdrawal of such a crucial order not only undermines the rule of law but also emboldens illegal encroachments under the guise of religious establishments.

https://twitter.com/lawinforce/status/1897280714225385661

Many are now demanding transparency behind this inexplicable U-turn, questioning whether political pressure or vested interests are driving the administration’s retreat from enforcing regulations meant to protect public land and local governance.