India, Dec. 27 -- More than 350 people gathered in a "mahapanchayat" at Badshahpur in Gurugram on Friday to protest against the construction of a church on a private land in Tikli village, police and local leaders said.

The assembly included residents from over a dozen nearby villages and was organised by local village heads and leaders of right-wing groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.

Local police confirmed they are monitoring the situation closely, but stated the construction appears legally sound. Inspector Vijay Pal, station house officer of Badshahpur police station, said, "The Delhi based property owner building the church has all the legal permissions, including a change of land use (CLU) certificat...