Violent clashes broke out in a village in Chhattisgarh this month after local tribal residents objected to the burial of a Christian man, raising fresh concerns over the safety of Christian communities in the region.
The unrest occurred on 18 December in Tevda village, located in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. At least 20 people were injured, including a senior police officer, as groups from the village confronted one another following a dispute over funeral practices.
The tension began after the death of Charan Ram Salaam on 16 December. His family, who converted to Christianity several years ago, held a Christian funeral and buried him on their own land. Some villagers opposed the burial, saying it went against traditional tribal customs, and demanded that the body be removed.
An executive magistrate ordered the exhumation of the body, citing concerns over public order. This decision triggered further anger, and fighting soon followed. Police were deployed in large numbers, a curfew was imposed, and the village was sealed off to prevent further violence.
Kamal Kujur, president of the National Christian Forum, said the situation quickly turned serious when attempts were made to dig up the grave. He reported that stones and sticks were used in the clashes, leaving both villagers and police injured.
Kujur also said that two churches were set on fire during the unrest, while some media outlets reported damage to two Hindu temples. Officials confirmed that several properties were damaged but did not give details about places of worship.
Christian leaders in the district say the violence has created fear just days before Christmas and New Year. The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) warned that the situation has gone beyond a local dispute and now raises wider questions about public safety and the protection of minority communities.
In a letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the EFI called for urgent action to restore peace and uphold constitutional rights, including the right to life, dignity and freedom of religion. The organisation urged authorities to ensure that Christians can celebrate the Christmas season without threats or harassment.
Christian activist Binay Lakra, based in Raipur, said the violence could worsen if the government does not act quickly to protect vulnerable communities.
Chhattisgarh has seen repeated incidents of hostility towards Christians in recent years. In Kanker district alone, at least 14 villages have introduced informal restrictions on pastors and priests, claiming they are defending tribal traditions from religious conversion.
Earlier this year, an indigenous Christian family in Sukma district was forced to flee their village after refusing to abandon their faith. In December 2022, more than 1,000 indigenous Christians in nearby districts were driven from their homes following coordinated attacks, including women, children and the elderly.
Rights groups report that Christians in some villages face social pressure, denial of access to water and shops, and even exclusion from traditional burial grounds.
Official figures from the United Christian Forum recorded 165 incidents against Christians in Chhattisgarh last year, the second highest number in any Indian state. Between January and July this year, the EFI’s Religious Liberty Commission documented 86 further cases of targeted pressure on Christian communities.
Adapted from UCA News.
