Police takes over Mulanthuruthy Church amid massive protests

The controversial and disputed Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church in Ernakulam, Kerala,was taken over by the district authorities August 17. The police forcefully entered the church in the morning, as the deadline fixed by the high court for the district administration to take over the church and handover the keys was to end on August 17.

The members, who had assembled at the church for a fasting prayer, were arrested and removed from the church premises. Many, including priests are believed to be injured in the incident.

The members who had assembled at the church for a fasting prayer, were arrested and removed from the church premises. The devotees made a blockade inorder to stop the police from entering inside. They also locked the gates.

When the devotees refused to cooperate, the police broke open the gate and entered. The police were wearing PPE kits while arresting the devotees because of the COVID-19 threat.

The Kerala High Court had ordered the Jacobite faction to hand over the church located at Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam district of Kerala to the Orthodox faction in line with the Supreme Court directives.

Earlier this month, the court also issued an order for contempt of court when the authorities showed no signs of complying with the order.

In July 3,2017, the Supreme Court had held that 1,100 parishes and their churches under the Malankara Church should be controlled by the Orthodox faction according to the 1934 Malankara Church guidelines. With this judgment, the Jacobite faction lost its legal status as the Malankara Syrian Church.

Last year, the Piravom Church was also taken over by the Ernakulam collector in a similar manner, following the HC directives.