Holding that religious worship without affecting public order is a fundamental right, the Madras High Court on Saturday allowed a church in Kanyakumari to conduct prayers, after “disagreeing” with an order of a district official directing its pastor to seek permission for the same.

Neither the Revenue officials, in their capacity as Executive Magistrate, nor the police could insist on their permission being obtained for conducting prayers inside a religious institution in a peaceful manner, Justice R S Ramanathan of the High Court bench here observed while hearing a petition filed by Pastor Sangai N Gopan of South India Assemblies of God church in Kumarapuram Thoppur.

The judge “disagreed” with the order of a Kanyakumari Revenue Divisional Officer asking the pastor to obtain permission for conducting prayers in order to avoid a law and order problem.