In a move that has sparked controversy, South Central Railway (SCR) has issued a one-month eviction notice to the Sacred Heart Church in South Lalaguda, Secunderabad, alleging that the church occupies railway land without authorization. The eviction notice, issued under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, directs the church to vacate its premises, which span 3,534 square meters, by December 12, 2024.
The Sacred Heart Church, a century-old institution, has long been a cornerstone of the Catholic community in Secunderabad. Built in 1927, the church has served as a place of worship for generations of Catholics, providing a dedicated space for Masses and community gatherings. The church’s history is intertwined with the development of the area, as it was constructed with land allocated by the Nizam’s Railway Company, which owned the land before India’s independence.
The church’s congregation is challenging the eviction order, with many members asserting that the church’s existence and legality have been well-documented over the years. They claim that the church has not violated any rules or regulations and that it is being unfairly targeted by the railway authorities. Some members of the community feel that the action is part of an ongoing trend of encroachment issues and that the church’s long-standing presence in the area should not be overlooked.
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The Sacred Heart Church was established during the era of the Nizam of Hyderabad, when the area of Lalaguda served as the headquarters of the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway, which later became part of Indian Railways. The church, built in the shape of a cross, became a significant religious and cultural landmark for the Catholic Christian community in Secunderabad.
Before the church’s construction, local Catholics held Masses at the Railway School, but as the need for a dedicated place of worship grew, the Nizam’s Railway Company allocated land for the new church. Following India’s independence in 1947, the Nizam’s Railway Company was nationalized and incorporated into the Central Railway in 1951. It was subsequently re-zoned under the South-Central Railway zone of Indian Railways, which is now overseeing the eviction process.
The eviction notice has raised concerns among the church’s supporters, who argue that the church has been a part of the community for nearly a century and has played a crucial role in serving the religious needs of local Catholics. Many are questioning the timing and necessity of the eviction, especially given the church’s historical significance and its long-standing use of the land.
Some community members are also seeking legal recourse to challenge the eviction, citing the church’s historical ties to the land and its role in the community. They argue that the eviction could set a dangerous precedent for other religious and historical institutions in the region.
At present, the church authorities are working to address the eviction notice through discussions with the railway authorities and legal counsel, hoping to find a resolution that respects both the church’s rights and the landownership claims of the railway.
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