A late-night confrontation over the burial of a Christian woman in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari district was resolved only after her family submitted a written pledge to abandon Christianity and perform her last rites according to Hindu customs. The incident highlights growing tensions over religious identity and burial rights in the state's remote areas.
Village Erupts Over Christian Burial
The dispute centered on 65-year-old Puniya Bai Sahu from Borai village, who had embraced Christianity. Following her sudden death on Wednesday evening, her family prepared for a Christian burial. This decision triggered immediate and strong opposition from fellow villagers and right-wing organisations, who objected to the burial taking place in the village.
Under pressure, the family attempted to move the body to a location in the neighbouring Nagri region. However, they faced the same resistance there. Local residents in Nagri also opposed the move, with police stating that the alleged lack of officially allotted land for burials at the spot was a point of contention.
Police Mediation and Mounting Pressure
With protests escalating at both locations, a significant police and administrative contingent rushed to the area. Officials including SDM Preeti Durgam, Additional SP Mani Shankar Chandra, SDOP Vipin Rangari, Tehsildar Chumman Dhruv, and the SHO were deployed through the evening and night. They held multiple rounds of talks with the family, villagers, and community representatives.
The administration advised the family to conduct the last rites swiftly due to local objections, but the family initially refused. With the body remaining uncremated for hours and tensions running high, a larger social meeting was convened in Borai late at night.
A Forced Compromise and Written Undertaking
After prolonged deliberations, the Sahu family submitted a written application to the administration expressing their willingness to "return" to Hinduism and perform Puniya Bai's last rites according to Hindu traditions. In the consent letter presented before the 'sarv samaj' (entire community), the family stated they would now remain in the Hindu fold, worship local deities, and follow traditional village customs.
Additional SP Mani Shankar Chandra described the dispute as one related to the last rites of a Sahu community woman, with differences within the family and society. He stated that a "social-level resolution" was finally reached after discussions, adding, "The situation is peaceful now."
A Pattern of Tension in Chhattisgarh
This incident is not isolated. Similar conflicts are being reported from other parts of Chhattisgarh, where the burial of Christian converts often becomes a flashpoint in remote areas, with demonstrators alleging forced religious conversion.
In a recent and more violent incident in Kanker district, the matter escalated severely. At least 20 police personnel were injured in clashes while trying to control the situation. A prayer hall was vandalised, and a mob later marched to Amabeda and set a church on fire. Right-wing organisations observed a state-wide 'bandh' over the issue, leading to further incidents of vandalism and confrontations.
The resolution in Dhamtari, achieved through a written undertaking of re-conversion, underscores the intense social and communal pressures faced by religious minorities in certain regions, raising serious questions about freedom of faith and practice.
