A prayer centre at Pathanamthitta turned into a flashpoint on Sunday (June 21, 2026) as allegations of child abuse brought BJP activists and worshippers at the Elohim Global Worship Centre at Omalloor face to face, triggering a tense standoff that forced police to step in and escort devotees into the prayer hall.

The situation began unfolding in the morning when BJP workers staged a march to the prayer centre and laid siege to the premises demanding the arrest of Pastor Binu Vazhamuttom, who runs the worship centre, in connection with allegations against an old-age care home managed by him. Anticipating protests and possible confrontations, the police had already deployed a large contingent of personnel at the venue.

Tensions escalated when scores of worshippers arrived at the centre for Sunday prayers carrying prayer books. As protesters attempted to block their entry, the worshippers asserted their constitutional right to freedom of worship. They maintained that if any individual had committed wrongdoing, the matter should be dealt with through due legal process rather than by disrupting religious activities.

With neither side willing to step back, slogan-shouting followed and the situation threatened to spiral into a confrontation. The police subsequently escorted the worshippers into the prayer hall. Minor scuffles broke out when some protesters entered the compound, prompting police intervention to restore order.

Under scrutiny

The worship centre has been under scrutiny since police registered cases against three employees of an old-age home run by the organisation at neighbouring Chenneerkara, following complaints that a 17-year-old resident and other children had been subjected to physical abuse.

Pastor Binu has denied the allegations, describing them as part of a campaign driven by personal animosity. He alleged that the president of the Omalloor grama panchayat had personal hostility towards him and rejected accusations that he had illegally appropriated anyone’s property.

His wife, Shalu, also defended the institution, claiming that the controversy arose from disputes among the children themselves and not from any abuse by staff members. “The issue is being deliberately exaggerated and there is a concerted attempt to portray the institution in a negative light. No employee has assaulted any child,” she told the media, adding that further details would be revealed in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Social Justice department and the police have intensified their investigation into the allegations. Pastor Binu had earlier been summoned by the department for questioning but did not appear before the officials.

Omalloor grama panchayat president and BJP leader Athira Mohan said the worship centre had been functioning without a licence from the local body. She said BJP workers launched the protest demanding action against the pastor following complaints related to institutions run under his management.

“We never prevented anyone from offering prayers today,” she said.

The controversy, meanwhile, took another turn after it emerged that the owner of the building housing the worship centre had already served a notice directing the institution to vacate the premises and discontinue its activities.