TN Gov issue land records to thousands of mosques and churches with no ownership documents
Tamil Nadu state administration plans to regularize undocumented religious structures across the state. Under this proposed initiative, official land ownership titles (pattas) would be granted to thousands of long-operating mosques, churches, and dargahs currently situated on government or unclassified land without formal title deeds.
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In what appears to be a major appeasement drive for the minority communities and their religious institutions, the Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government is preparing to regularise thousands of mosques, churches and dargahs that lack ownership documents by issuing them land pattas.
Confirming the government’s plans, Tamil Nadu Minister for Minorities Welfare A.M. Shahjahan said on Saturday (31 October 2026) that the government was taking steps to regularise such religious structures across the state.
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The Minister made the announcement while speaking to reporters after distributing welfare assistance worth ₹1.14 crore to 71 beneficiaries at the Perambalur District Collectorate.
Shahjahan said that he had taken up the issue with Revenue Minister K. Sengottaiyan, seeking regularisation of minority religious structures that do not possess proper land ownership documents. According to him, Sengottaiyan had assured that the government would conduct a survey and initiate steps to issue pattas to eligible religious institutions.
According to Shah Jahan, representations were made by minority communities to the government seeking pattas for illegal places of worship standing on government land for 25-50 years. The state government had decided to concede to the demand of Muslims and Christians and the necessary documentation will be undertaken soon.
Take lands from Hindu temples and give to Church and Mosques.
— Muhammad Bin Tughlaq (@TughlaqBinMohd) November 1, 2026
Release Islamic terrorists while ban RSS.
TVK government for you. https://t.co/Ltu3MshvBs
Illegal religious structures have mushroomed across the state over the years. In June this year, the Madras High Court stopped the construction of a mega church on land classified as a public road in revenue records. The High Court also noted the submission that the church was being built in the vicinity of a 100-year-old Hindu temple and could be used as a centre for conversion activity.
The development assumes significance against the backdrop of several judicial interventions concerning unauthorised religious constructions on public and government land in Tamil Nadu.
In June 2026, the Madras High Court intervened to stop the construction of a mega church on land classified as a public road in revenue records. The case also involved a submission that the proposed church was coming up near a century-old Mariamman temple and could be used as a centre for religious conversion.