India, Dec. 27 -- People from several villages held a 'mahapanchayat' on Friday, opposing the ongoing construction of a church on a two-acre agricultural plot. Many leaders of Hindu outfits, including the VHP and Bajrang Dal, took part in the gathering. Residents of Teekli and neighbouring villages said they feared the church could be a front for religious conversion activities.
Those building the church could not be contacted for a response. The villagers and VHP, Bajrang Dal leaders questioned the construction, claiming that the local Christian population is reportedly less than 1 per cent of the "10,000 Hindu families". Sandeep Kumar, head of Teekli village, said some members of the Christian community purchased land from a farmer of th...