Historical Verdict – No state money for churches, AP High Court , Kudos to Dr T H Chowdary

No state money for churches

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday made it clear
that no government money can be spent to construct or repair churches
and other Christian religious institutions in the state in pursuance of
the GO Ms. No. 42, issued on December 19, 2001.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice C.V.
Nagarjuna Reddy was dealing with a writ petition filed by one Dr
Tripuraneni Hanuman Chowdary complaining that the state government was
promoting a religion contrary to injunctions of the Constitution. The
bench was clarifying its earlier orders of status quo in this regard.

The petitioner listed the various orders issued between December 2001
and March 2009 and complained that the state under the guise of welfare
of SCs and STs was “promoting religious activity relating to
Christians”.

The court had ordered on September 7 to maintain status quo on release
of funds under the GO for maintenance, repair and construction of
churches.

When the case came up for hearing, the counsel for the petitioner, Mr
Challa Kodanda Ram, complained that the words status quo were being
misinterpreted by the officers. The bench then said there shall be no
spending of government money in pursuance to the various GOs issued by
the government.

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