Supreme Court Grants Permission for Christian Community Prayer in Indore

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has permitted a Christian community prayer scheduled to be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, overturning the decisions of both the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the district administration.

The event, which faced cancellation by an assistant election officer citing law and order concerns, was brought before the apex court in an appeal filed by Suresh Carletons, the administrator of Christian Hospital Indore and chairperson of the prayer meet's organizing committee.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, Satish Chandra Sharma, and Sandeep Mehta set aside the orders of the High Court and the district administration, thereby allowing the prayer meeting to proceed as scheduled.

The dispute arose when the Indore administration revoked permission for the event due to reported opposition from Hindu outfits and other social organizations, prompting complaints filed at the Tukoganj Police Station.

Chennai-based Christian preacher Dr. Paul Dhinakaran was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the gathering.

The High Court, while dismissing the petitioner's plea, acknowledged the religious nature of the meeting but upheld the district administration's decision, stating, "This court is of the considered opinion that it might be true that the intention of the petitioner to convene such meeting must be purely religious in nature, however, the concern raised by the respondents can also not be said to be unfounded."

However, the Supreme Court intervened, allowing the appeal and granting permission for the prayer meeting to proceed as planned.

Senior Counsel Santosh Paul along with advocates Lija Merin John, Sanbha Rumnong, Aakarsh Kamra, and Ajay Shaw represented the petitioner in the case.