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After the Indian government, a centuries-old establishment is the country’s second-largest landowner, holding 17 crore acres of land across India. The question is: who owns it all?
Much of the Catholic Church’s land was acquired during British rule, when the administration leased property to Christian institutions at nominal rates to promote Christianity. (News18)
Throughout history, land has been a symbol of social status and authority. Many historic conflicts were driven by the ambition to acquire more land. Land plays a vital role in human development, providing space for agriculture, housing, education, industry, and religious practice.
In a vast and populous nation like India, which spans approximately 3,287,590 square kilometres, the significance of land is even more pronounced.
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Land Ownership In India: The State And The Church
In India, the government remains the primary landowner. However, the Catholic Church of India ranks as the second-largest landholder in the country. According to the Government Land Information System (GLIS), as of February 2021, the Indian government possessed roughly 15,531 square kilometres of land. This land is distributed among 116 public sector undertakings and 51 central ministries.
In contrast, the Catholic Church of India owns an estimated 7 crore hectares (17.29 crore acres) of land nationwide. These properties include churches, educational institutions, and other establishments. The total value of this land is believed to exceed Rs 1 lakh crore.
A Comparison With Global Land Areas
The land held by the Indian government surpasses the total land area of numerous countries. For instance, it owns more land than Qatar (11,586 sq. km), the Bahamas (13,943 sq. km), Jamaica (10,991 sq. km), Lebanon (10,452 sq. km), Gambia (11,295 sq. km), Cyprus (9,251 sq. km), Brunei (5,765 sq. km), Bahrain (778 sq. km), and Singapore (726 sq. km).
Ministries With The Largest Land Holdings
Among the various ministries, the Ministry of Railways holds the most land, with approximately 2,926.6 square kilometres. This is followed by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Coal, both of which hold around 2,580.92 square kilometres.
Other key ministries with substantial land assets include the Ministry of Power (1,806.69 sq. km), Ministry of Heavy Industries (1,209.49 sq. km), and Ministry of Shipping (1,146 sq. km).
Historical Acquisition Of Church Land
Much of the Catholic Church’s land was acquired during the British colonial era, primarily under the provisions of the Indian Church Act of 1927. The Church’s holdings span from Goa in the west to the northeastern states. However, there have been longstanding disputes regarding the legitimacy of these acquisitions, with allegations that the Church forcefully occupied some properties.
The British administration often leased land to Christian institutions at nominal rates to aid the spread of Christianity. In 1965, the Indian government issued a circular declaring that any land leased by the British would no longer be recognised. Despite this, the directive was never fully enforced, leaving many disputes unresolved.
Role Of The Catholic Bishops’ Conference Of India (CBCI)
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) is responsible for overseeing all Church properties across the country. As of 2012, the Catholic Church of India operated an extensive network of institutions, including 2,457 hospitals and dispensaries, 240 medical and nursing colleges, 28 general colleges, 5 engineering colleges, 3,765 secondary schools, 7,319 primary schools, and 3,187 nursery schools.
The Waqf Board: The Third-Largest Landowner
Following the Catholic Church, the Waqf Board is the third-largest landowning body in India. Formed under the Waqf Act of 1954, the Board manages thousands of mosques, madrasas, and graveyards. It holds over 600,000 immovable properties, most of which were granted during the period of Muslim rule in India.
It is important to note that many of these landholding figures are estimates. Neither the Catholic Church nor the Indian government has released comprehensive official data regarding these holdings.
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