Demand for action against a Christian organization for constructing an illegal church in Andhra Pradesh

Allegation of constructing an unauthorised church on residential land

Godavari (Andhra Pradesh) – It has come to light that the Christian missionary organisation ‘Calvary Church Foundation’ has constructed a large church on land that was approved only for residential buildings in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The ‘Legal Rights Protection Forum’ (LRPF) has accused the Calvary Church Foundation of misusing a residential permit to build a church complex. The LRPF has demanded immediate action from the district administration against this unauthorised construction.

The complaint alleges that instead of constructing residential units, the Calvary Church Foundation built a large church at the site and began organising public gatherings and Christmas celebrations there. Land approved strictly for residential use has effectively been converted into a venue for public prayer meetings.
LRPF General Secretary A. S. Santosh alleged that Christian missionaries often expand aggressively while ignoring legal norms. When legal action is demanded against them, they portray it as “religious targeting” and even take such complaints to international platforms.

The Calvary Church Foundation is led by Pastor P. Satish Kumar, founder and pastor of Calvary Church, based in Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad). The organisation also runs Calvary Bible College, Calvary Hospital, and Calvary Schools. It wields significant influence not only in Andhra Pradesh but also across international Christian circles.

Editorial Perspectives

  • Such illegal churches are built on residential land, and prayer meetings are organised there. There are many instances where such churches later turn into hubs for the religious conversion of Hindus. Therefore, strict action against these churches is necessary!
  • A larger question also arises: why does such a demand have to be made at all? What was the Telugu Desam Party government’s administration doing while these illegal churches were being constructed?