Two Christian families in Chhattisgarh state have reportedly been forced from their village after refusing to take part in traditional tribal religious practices, raising fresh concerns about pressure on Christians in the region.
The incident took place in Khadka village in Narayanpur district, where local authorities have deployed additional police officers to prevent further unrest.
According to reports, the two families, made up of seven adults and three children, were told to leave the village following disagreements over their refusal to participate in customary tribal rituals and the worship of traditional deities. Villagers allegedly removed the families' belongings from their homes during the dispute.
Local residents said village leaders expected all members of the tribal community to contribute to community activities and take part in traditional religious ceremonies. A village representative reportedly said a meeting had decided to expel Christian families who did not follow these customs, claiming their refusal was seen as disrespectful towards tribal beliefs.
Reports also state that on 30 June, a father and his son from one of the affected families agreed to return to their former tribal faith after coming under pressure. Their return was marked by a traditional ceremony in the village.
The latest incident follows another reported dispute in Bharanda village, also in Narayanpur district. On 23 June, 26 Christian tribal families said they had been ordered to abandon their Christian faith or leave the village. The families also claimed they had been barred from returning to their homes and subjected to a social boycott.
The Bharanda case came after several other reported incidents in the district during June. On 9 June, a pastor and his wife were reported to police over allegations of religious conversion and accused of offending religious sentiments. Later, on 21 June, another Christian family reportedly fled into a nearby forest after facing threats, with police stepping in to address the situation.
Responding to the recent events, Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur of Raipur, who also serves as President of the Catholic Bishops' Council of Chhattisgarh, expressed concern over what he described as increasing hostility towards Christians. He said accusations of forced religious conversion were often used to target believers and called for greater respect for human dignity and religious freedom. He also prayed that those responsible for such actions would come to recognise the suffering caused by these incidents.
Adapted from reporting by AsiaNews.
