Chhattisgarh village bars Christian burials at Hindu cremation ground, sparking rights row

A dispute has escalated in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district after Punpalli village's Gram Sabha passed resolutions on October 2 restricting the use of its traditional Hindu cremation ground for Christian funeral rituals. The village, with around 2,000 residents including approximately 75 Christians in 21 families, has refused to provide community land for burial of tribal residents who have converted to Christianity.

Christian groups have accused the villagers of discrimination, citing the hardship of families having to travel over 13 kilometres to Dhornapal or 40 kilometres to Sukma town for burials. The Gram Sabha, however, defends the decision as protecting traditional customs and community spaces, arguing that allowing Christian funeral rites at a sacred Hindu tribal cremation ground could spark religious conflict.

The core dispute centres on whether converted residents can conduct Christian funeral practices at a historically Hindu tribal cremation site, or whether they must use separate facilities designated for Christian burials.