The Supreme Court has issued a strong reprimand to the Chhattisgarh government following a plea by a Christian man who has been prevented from burying his deceased pastor father in the village of Chhindawada. The case has highlighted significant religious and legal conflicts involving community burial rights.
Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma expressed their astonishment and concern upon learning that the deceased’s body has been kept in a mortuary in Jagdalpur since January 7, with no action taken by the local police despite the legal disputes and community objections that have prevented the burial.
The man at the center of the controversy, Ramesh Baghel, a member of the Mahra caste, is challenging a Chhattisgarh High Court order that sided with local community leaders. The High Court had upheld a decision denying Baghel burial rights in a designated Christian section of the village graveyard, citing potential unrest and public disharmony as its reason.
The village graveyard, as described by Baghel, includes designated areas for different communities, including tribal members, Hindus, and Christians. Baghel’s plea highlighted that other family members, including his aunt and grandfather, were previously buried in the Christian section without issue.
However, when plans were made to conduct his father’s burial, certain villagers vehemently objected, threatening violence and blocking access to the burial site. They also opposed the family’s attempt to bury the body on their own private land.
During the altercation, Baghel reported the incident to the police, who allegedly sided with the villagers, threatening the family with legal action if they proceeded with the burial in accordance with Christian rites.
The Supreme Court has now intervened, demanding a response from the state government. The bench noted discrepancies in the local and high court’s handling of the case, questioning the state’s role in what they described as a denial of basic religious rights. The matter is set to be heard further on January 20.
