By Ben Joseph / LA CROIX
Vast prime properties belonging to the Indian Church where now stand imposing cathedrals, majestic Gothic churches, chapels and shrines can come under threat as many of them were built on land leased during the British colonial-era.
Unfortunately, the land deeds were not renewed as the need did not occur.
Also, since India’s independence from colonial Britain in 1947, churches, schools, colleges, and hospitals and social institutions have been set up on land donated by the faithful or given by governments of the day and private owners, typically for a lease period of 99 years.
Now the ruling pro-Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP; Indian peoples party) at the federal level, aiming for a theocratic state, has begun to scrutinize the land deeds.
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