Chhattisgarh village council resolution bars land for Christian burials, prayer meets
A village council in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district has passed a resolution banning Christians from using community land for burials, prayer meetings, or religious activities. The move cites tribal rights under the PESA Act, though its legal enforceability remains a subject of debate.
Why it matters
The resolution highlights ongoing tensions between traditional tribal governance and constitutional rights regarding religious freedom in India's scheduled areas.
Raipur: A special village council or gram sabha, convened at Punpalli village of Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, passed a resolution to forbid any land it holds from being made available to Christians or converts from building churches, holding prayer meetings, burials or ‘healing’ gatherings.The council also resolved to put up a public notice barring pastors and Christian preachers from entering the village for ‘conversion’ or religious activity.The resolution, passed as decision number 6 of the special Gram Sabha, cites Article 244(1) of the Constitution, the fifth schedule, the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, and Chhattisgarh’s PESA framework to justify the move, confirmed Madkam Bhima, a Janpad member.The notice, already erected at the entrance to the village, states not ‘an inch’ of Gram Sabha land would be given for burials of Christians or converts, churches, prayer meetings or faith healing sessions.
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