Protest Against Evasion of Information on Illegal Churches in Navapur (Nandurbar District)

Indefinite Hunger Strike from February 17

Nandurbar, Maharashtra – Over the past 8 to 10 years, a large number of churches have been constructed illegally within the jurisdiction of 116 village panchayats in Navapurtaluka, as well as in Navapur city. To obtain details about this issue, Shri Umesh Manji Gavit submitted an RTI application to the Extension Officer on December 9, 2024. However, as complete information was not provided, Shri Gavit has launched a sit-in protest outside the Navapur Tehsil office. On February 17, he will begin an indefinite hunger strike along with other activists.

In the past few years, several churches have been constructed in large numbers across Navapur city and its villages. Some of these churches have been built on grazing land meant for cattle, some on government-owned land, and many without obtaining the necessary permissions, making them illegal. Despite two months of efforts, only a few of the 116 villages have provided minimal information, while the majority have avoided disclosure. Shri Gavit has accused the authorities of deliberately withholding information due to fear that the illegal constructions will be exposed, and has also alleged that this has led to a loss of lakhs in government revenue.

Editorial Perspectives

How were illegal churches constructed within village and city limits ? Was the administration asleep ?
If there is hesitation in providing information on illegal churches, it implies corruption. Hiding such details and forcing citizens to go on an indefinite hunger strike to obtain them is a disgrace to the administration.
So far, we were aware of Land Jihad. Now, this incident reveals how Christians are also encroaching upon the land of Hindus and the administration.