Village council bans allotment of land to Christians for prayer or burial
A village council in Punpalli, Chhattisgarh, India, passed a resolution banning the allotment of community land to Christians for burial, churches, or prayer meetings, citing constitutional provisions and the PESA Act. The Christian community and legal experts argue this infringes on fundamental rights and misinterprets the law.
Why it matters
This decision highlights a conflict between local governance and fundamental religious freedoms in India, potentially setting a precedent for religious discrimination and raising questions about the interpretation of constitutional and tribal land laws.
The gram sabha of Punpalli village panchayat in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district has passed a resolution banning allotment of community land to Christians and converts for burial, construction of churches, prayer, and religious meetings.
A press release issued by the local panchayat said constitutional provisions empowered them to take such decisions; the Christian community said these orders infringe upon their right to freedom of religion guaranteed under the Constitution.
“Under the resolution, it was decided that no gram sabha land would be provided to Christians and converted persons for burial, construction of churches, prayer meetings or religious meetings. Not even an inch of gram sabha land would be given to them,” the release dated October 2 said.
Punapalli village has also installed an information board announcing that entry of Christian priests, and preachers into the village for conversion, prayer meetings, and other activities aree prohibited.
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