Prayagraj,

01 June (HS): Church Property Dispute at House No. 8, Kanpur Road is a highly

important and historic Nazul property that has long been the subject of legal

and judicial discussions. The property accommodates six tenants along with a church.

This church has a history of nearly 80 years. Pastor Gladwin Masih Charan

resides here, and under his leadership, the Indian National Church has been

continuously holding prayer meetings. The open land in the premises has often

been used for prayer gatherings, community feasts (bhandaare), and interfaith

assemblies, where people of different religions unite to spread the message of

brotherhood.

Recent

Attempts of Encroachment: In recent days, attempts to seize this land have

intensified. According to reports, a team of lawyers led by Advocate Madhup

Agrawal has tried to occupy the church’s open land by showing a forged sale

deed in the names of Kailash Jaiswal and Ram Lali. Allegedly, they are

conspiring with certain government officials to renew the lease illegally.

However, no valid sale deed exists, nor has any lawful possession been

established. Despite this, these individuals have begun claiming ownership. Church

followers allege that these advocates, along with fake policemen, have been

threatening Pastor Charan and church members, saying: “We are advocates; no one

can touch us. You must vacate this place.”

Voices

of Protest: Members of the Custodian of Church Assets Trust and other

supporters have openly opposed this move. Among them are: Lily Bhavana Collar,

N.B. Montrose, Dr. Rahul Uthwal (Ghaziabad), Senior journalists Sanjog Walter

and C.R. William (Lucknow, )Jasmine Lal, Jaywant Lal, Reena Winter Rozlina

(Mirzapur) Sudipa Mitra, Dhirendra Nath Srivastava, Abul Kalam Rain, Thakur

Shiv Sagar Singh, Nishant Agrawal (Prayagraj) Vivek Montrose and Dr. Rama

Montrose (Delhi). Many social activists and journalists have also joined this

movement.

Appeal

to the Government: Considering the seriousness of the situation, church

followers have appealed to the Government of Uttar Pradesh to protect this

historic site from land mafias and ensure the safety of Pastor Charan and his

family. They have requested the Chief Minister, Urban Development Minister,

Home Secretary, and Director General of Police to take immediate cognizance and

investigate the matter. The church community has also demanded that the land be

granted to them either on lease or as freehold property, so that this historic

church may continue to function and future generations remain connected to its

spiritual legacy.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi