Orthodox-Jacobite Church dispute escalates in Kerala; 22 booked after clash, government moves for mediation
The current proceedings before the Kerala High Court concern six Malankara churches, three in Palakkad, two in Ernakulam and one in Kollam.
Total Views |
Kochi, August 10, 2026: The long-running dispute between the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church over the administration and control of churches in Kerala escalated again after a physical confrontation at St John’s Bethlehem Church in Piramadom near Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam.
_202608111224122194_H@@IGHT_400_W@@IDTH_700.jpg "Church")
Police personnel have been deployed at the church to prevent further violence. The two cases were registered following complaints from the respective factions.
Clash followed competing claims over court orders
The disagreement escalated into a verbal confrontation followed by pushing and shoving between priests and members of the two factions. Both sides subsequently claimed that priests from their respective factions sustained injuries. The incident prompted police intervention and closure of the church premises to prevent further escalation.
Dispute has continued despite Supreme Court rulings
A key legal development came in 2017, when the Supreme Court in K.S. Varghese & Others v. St. Peter’s & Paul’s Syrian Orthodox Church & Others upheld the 1934 Malankara Church Constitution as governing the administration of the parish churches. The Court also held that the Constitution was not inconsistent with Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.
However, the continuing litigation shows that implementation of the legal position at individual churches has remained contentious. The dispute has generated further proceedings before the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court concerning possession, worship and administration at specific churches.
Six churches remain subject to litigation
The current proceedings before the Kerala High Court concern six Malankara churches, three in Palakkad, two in Ernakulam and one in Kollam. The State Government has told the High Court that prolonged litigation between the two factions has caused distress among parishioners and has periodically resulted in situations affecting public order.
The statement was filed pursuant to a direction of the High Court in the ongoing writ appeals. A Division Bench comprising Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Preeta A.K. is scheduled to pronounce its judgment in the appeals on August 13. The State has said that Kerala has approximately 1,100 Malankara churches associated with the two factions and that both groups have contributed to education, healthcare, charitable activities and social reform in the State.
Earlier attempt to enforce court orders led to further litigation
The dispute has previously seen attempts by authorities to implement court directions concerning worship in disputed churches. In 2022, the Kerala High Court permitted Orthodox members to conduct prayer services at certain disputed churches. Subsequent attempts to enforce the order reportedly met resistance from Jacobite parishioners, resulting in further legal proceedings.
The matter subsequently reached the Supreme Court, which remitted the issue to the High Court for fresh consideration. A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court later set aside the direction requiring the District Collectors to take possession of the churches, while allowing the contempt proceedings to continue within the limits of the court's jurisdiction.
The latest police cases at Piramadom therefore come against the backdrop of an unresolved dispute in which successive court proceedings have established important principles concerning church administration, while the implementation of those principles at individual parishes continues to generate confrontation.
With the Kerala Government now proposing direct negotiations between the two factions and the High Court expected to pronounce its next judgment on August 13, the administration faces the challenge of preventing further violence while ensuring that any settlement remains consistent with the judicial decisions governing the Malankara Church.
The clash on Sunday resulted in the registration of two separate cases against 22 people, including priests and believers from both factions. Police registered a case against 10 persons, including priests belonging to the Jacobite faction, and another against 12 priests and believers of the Orthodox faction. Officials said non-bailable offences have been invoked in both cases and the investigation is underway.
Police personnel have been deployed at the church to prevent further violence. The two cases were registered following complaints from the respective factions.
Clash followed competing claims over court orders
According to police, the church is presently under the control of the Jacobite faction. A group of Orthodox priests entered the premises on Sunday, citing an order of the Muvattupuzha Sub-Court that they said permitted them to conduct worship services. Jacobite members at the church opposed their entry, citing a separate order of the Munsiff Court which they claimed supported their position.
ALSO READ: Why Pakistani Media's interest in India's elections should raise questions, not eyebrows
The disagreement escalated into a verbal confrontation followed by pushing and shoving between priests and members of the two factions. Both sides subsequently claimed that priests from their respective factions sustained injuries. The incident prompted police intervention and closure of the church premises to prevent further escalation.
Dispute has continued despite Supreme Court rulings
The confrontation is part of a much larger dispute within the Malankara Christian community that has continued for decades, primarily involving questions of ecclesiastical authority and the administration of church properties.
🚨 Clashes Erupt at Malankara Church in Kerala
— JIX5A (@JIX5A) August 9, 2026
Tensions escalated into violence at St. John’s Bethlehem Jacobite Church in Piramadam, Ernakulam, as supporters of the Orthodox and Jacobite factions clashed.
Several people were reportedly injured, prompting police deployment to… pic.twitter.com/byPfviXl2A
A key legal development came in 2017, when the Supreme Court in K.S. Varghese & Others v. St. Peter’s & Paul’s Syrian Orthodox Church & Others upheld the 1934 Malankara Church Constitution as governing the administration of the parish churches. The Court also held that the Constitution was not inconsistent with Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.
However, the continuing litigation shows that implementation of the legal position at individual churches has remained contentious. The dispute has generated further proceedings before the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court concerning possession, worship and administration at specific churches.
Six churches remain subject to litigation
The current proceedings before the Kerala High Court concern six Malankara churches, three in Palakkad, two in Ernakulam and one in Kollam. The State Government has told the High Court that prolonged litigation between the two factions has caused distress among parishioners and has periodically resulted in situations affecting public order.
In a statement filed before the High Court, the Kerala Government said that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan had personally taken up the issue and that the government proposed discussions with the denominational heads of both factions to attempt a negotiated settlement. Any settlement reached through the proposed mediation would subsequently be placed before the High Court.
The statement was filed pursuant to a direction of the High Court in the ongoing writ appeals. A Division Bench comprising Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Preeta A.K. is scheduled to pronounce its judgment in the appeals on August 13. The State has said that Kerala has approximately 1,100 Malankara churches associated with the two factions and that both groups have contributed to education, healthcare, charitable activities and social reform in the State.
Earlier attempt to enforce court orders led to further litigation
The dispute has previously seen attempts by authorities to implement court directions concerning worship in disputed churches. In 2022, the Kerala High Court permitted Orthodox members to conduct prayer services at certain disputed churches. Subsequent attempts to enforce the order reportedly met resistance from Jacobite parishioners, resulting in further legal proceedings.
In August 2024, a Kerala High Court single judge directed District Collectors to take possession of six churches involved in the dispute. The order was challenged by the State and Jacobite faction.
The matter subsequently reached the Supreme Court, which remitted the issue to the High Court for fresh consideration. A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court later set aside the direction requiring the District Collectors to take possession of the churches, while allowing the contempt proceedings to continue within the limits of the court's jurisdiction.
The latest police cases at Piramadom therefore come against the backdrop of an unresolved dispute in which successive court proceedings have established important principles concerning church administration, while the implementation of those principles at individual parishes continues to generate confrontation.
With the Kerala Government now proposing direct negotiations between the two factions and the High Court expected to pronounce its next judgment on August 13, the administration faces the challenge of preventing further violence while ensuring that any settlement remains consistent with the judicial decisions governing the Malankara Church.