Supreme Court Hears Meitei Christian Community's Plea Regarding Destruction Of Churches In Manipur

The Supreme Court on Friday considered a petition filed by Meitei Christian Churches Council, Manipur (MCCCM) highlighting the destruction of churches during the ongoing ethnic clashes in the region.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the petitioner to serve a copy on the State Government as well as the judges' committee formed by the Court.

Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi appeared for the petitioner. The petitioner complained that the State and the Centre did not do anything to prevent the destruction of  churches belonging to the Meitei Christians in Manipur during the communal clashes. 

The bench passed the following order after hearing the matter :

"We have heard Mr Huzefa Ahmadi, senior counsel, who appears in support of the petition which raises the issue of the destruction of 642 places of worship.

 A copy of the petition shall be served on Mr Raj Bahadur Yadav, AOR, instructing the Solicitor General.

 In the meantime, we permit the counsel, on his request, to circulate a note in regard to the grievance raised in the petition before the Committee appointed by this Court and the State Government so that appropriate action can be taken".

The matter will be next heard on September 6, 2023.

As per the petition– 

"These church properties and its grounds are being used for other purposes. In most cases, the title documents etc were looted or torched along with the church properties and the Petitioners no longer have any documentary evidence in their possession. If the conversion of church properties for use of other communities is not stopped immediately, the Petitioners may not be in a position to retrieve them at all."

Accordingly, the petition has sought for an immediate action to be taken to stop the further desecration of church properties and to preserve the same.

"The Meitei Christians should be allowed to congregate and pray at the church properties under police protection," the petition urges.

It also highlights that despite several schemes for rehabilitation and compensation promised by the State authorities, the same have not been extended to the churches. Even the directions passed by the Supreme Court to provide relief and restoration for destroyed places of worship have not been complied with by the State government as per the petition. 

The petitioner asserts that the MCCCM had even written to the Governor of Manipur, bringing to his notice the rampant looting and destruction of church property and sought for immediate intervention. However, no response was received. Another Representation was filed to the Home Minister and the Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs; to the Chief Minister of the State of Manipur and the Governor of Manipur, reiterating the destroyed 240 Churches from various districts and seeking for the enquiry of the cause of destruction, but still no response was provided regarding the same.

The Petitioners have sought for directions to authorities to be passed to address and include the measures of relief, rehabilitation and restoration of places of worship in the State of Manipur. 

Also from today's hearing - Manipur Violence | Supreme Court Directs Centre, State To Ensure Essential Supplies To People Amidst Road Blockades; Suggests Air Dropping

Case : W.P.(C) No. 875/2023 

Click here to read the order