A 13-year-old Christian boy was buried under police supervision in Odisha after villagers reportedly objected to a Christian funeral service unless his family agreed to give up their faith. The incident took place on 14 February in Nabarangpur district's Kapena village.
Ayush Santa, who died from kidney failure, was initially prevented from being laid to rest in the village’s common burial ground. According to local Christian representatives, some Hindu villagers insisted that the family renounce Christianity before burial could proceed.
Following complaints, district officials sent more than 40 police officers to the village in an effort to maintain order. Despite their presence, the dispute continued for several hours.
Gourab Kauri, secretary of the Nabarangpur Christian Minority Council, said the family was also stopped from conducting the burial in their private field at first. He stated that the authorities eventually asked the family to sign a written agreement permitting only a “simple burial” without Christian prayers or symbols such as a cross on the grave.
Bishop Pallab Lima of the United Believers Council Network of India said the boy was buried without Christian rites or public prayers. He described the situation as distressing for the family and the local Christian community.
Tapan Kuntia, deputy district magistrate of Nabarangpur, confirmed that the burial took place after midnight and under police supervision in order to prevent further tensions.
Christian leaders say the case is part of a wider pattern in tribal-majority districts such as Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri, where families have allegedly faced pressure during funeral arrangements.
Ismail Patro, general secretary of the National Christian Front, expressed concern over what he described as increasing discrimination against Christians in the state. He noted that India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and said any attempt to link burial rights with a change of faith raises serious constitutional questions.
The Santa family attends the Blessing Youth Mission Church, which was reportedly attacked by a group of villagers on 25 January. According to local sources, threats were made against Christian families in the area.
Church leaders have also pointed to other recent cases. In March 2025, the burial of an elderly man in Siunaguda village was reportedly delayed due to religious objections. In April 2025, a young tribal Christian in Melbeda village was initially refused burial, and further controversy followed after the body was reportedly disturbed. Another case in October 2024 involved a Dalit Christian family in Menjar village who were said to have faced pressure before a burial was allowed.
Local authorities have not issued a detailed public statement addressing the broader allegations. Christian representatives continue to call for protection of religious freedom and equal treatment under the law.
This is a rewritten version of the original article published on UCA News.
