Kochi, 13 August (H.S.):The Kerala High Court has cancelled police protection provided for conducting religious services at six churches affected by the long-standing dispute between the Orthodox and Jacobite factions.

A Division Bench comprising Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and A.K. Preetha set aside an earlier Single Bench order directing the police to provide protection to vicars belonging to the Orthodox Church.

The ruling relates to Cherukunnam, Erikinchira and Mangalam Dam churches in Palakkad district; Mukhathala church in Kollam district; and Odakkali and Kakkoor Attinkunnu churches in Ernakulam district.

The Division Bench allowed appeals challenging the Single Bench order issued on January 31, 2023, which had directed the authorities to provide police protection for the Orthodox priests to conduct religious services at the churches.

The court expressed hope that the State government's efforts to settle the dispute between the two factions through dialogue would yield positive results. It also clarified that the petitioners could approach the appropriate civil court to establish their rights over the ownership and administration of the church properties.

The Bench observed that the government could intervene when recurring disputes created law-and-order problems. However, it said the State should generally maintain neutrality in religious matters unless the fundamental or legal rights of citizens were being violated.

The government should exercise restraint while intervening in disputes involving religious institutions and accord priority to resolving them through peaceful means, the court said.

At the same time, the Bench underlined that the government had a responsibility to step in through mediation whenever a religious dispute led to law-and-order problems affecting the public.

The Orthodox-Jacobite dispute over the administration and control of churches has resulted in several legal battles and confrontations across Kerala. Courts have issued a series of orders over the years concerning access to churches, the conduct of worship and the management of their properties.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman