Unauthorised church shut down by the Police in Mumbai Metropolitan Region

• Result of the efforts of Kamlesh Gupta, an alert, active and devout Hindu

• The said church had not taken permission from the Charity Commissioner

Thane, Maharashtra – An unauthorised church called ‘Glory Prayer House’ was constructed in the Hindu-majority area of Ambernath (West) called Buwapada. Due to the efforts of Mr Kamlesh Gupta, a local devout Hindu, this unauthorised church has been shut down. (Congratulations to Mr Kamlesh Gupta for taking action to prevent attacks on Hindus ! Devout Hindus like Mr Gupta are the real strength of Hindu Dharma ! – Editor).

1. Needy Hindus were brought to the church for prayers, convinced that Christianity is a better religion, tempted and eventually converted to Christianity. Several such incidents have occurred in rural areas of Thane and Palghar Districts.

2. Kamlesh Gupta, a devout Hindu, filed an online complaint to the Ambernath Police and Thane Police Commissioner asking, ‘What was the need for a church in a Hindu-majority area ?’ He also demanded an investigation to find out if the church had taken permission from the Ambernath Municipal Council and Ambernath Police.

3. Taking note of Gupta’s complaint, the Ambernath Police called James Kunjkuj (Age 60), President of ‘Glory Prayer House’ church, for questioning. The investigation revealed that the church did not take any permission from the Charity Commissioner. Hence, the Police issued James a notice under section 149 of CrPC and shut down the unauthorised church permanently. They also informed Kamlesh Gupta about it.

Editorial Perspective

How do such unauthorised churches get constructed in the first place ? Why do the Police or the Administration have no control over such unauthorised constructions ?