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In a tragic turn of events highlighting deep-seated religious and familial discord, 55-year-old Dukha Oraon faced rejection even in death in Mahuwari village, Lohardaga district, Jharkhand. The controversy unfolded as two Christian sects clashed over Dukha’s religious identity as a Christian.
His decision to convert to Christianity a decade ago led to a contentious standoff, preventing his burial in the village for 36 hours.
Dukha Oraon, a 55-year-old man from Mahuwari village in Lohardaga district, Jharkhand, originally followed the Sarna faith, a tribal religion deeply rooted in the local community’s traditions. However, around a decade ago, Dukha chose to convert to Christianity, joining the Pentecostal Church.
In 2007, Dukha left Mahuwari village and moved to Ranchi, where he settled with his family. His life came to an end on January 12, 2025, when he succumbed to illness while undergoing treatment in Ranchi. Respecting his wish to be laid to rest in his native village, his family brought his body back to Mahuwari for burial rituals.
However, the return of Dukha’s body to Mahuwari sparked an unexpected and tense conflict. The local Christian community in the village, primarily members of the NWGEL (North-West Gossner Evangelical Lutheran) Church, refused to allow Dukha’s burial in the community cemetery. This refusal stemmed from the fact that Dukha was affiliated with the Pentecostal Church, a denomination different from the NWGEL Church, which the majority of Christian villagers followed.
The division between these Christian sects escalated the situation, leaving Dukha’s family in a dilemma. Facing resistance from the local Christian cemetery, the family decided to use their ancestral land for the burial.
However, this decision led to yet another confrontation, this time with Dukha’s relatives.
Dukha’s relatives protested the burial on the ancestral property, asserting that they belonged to a Pahan family and did not recognise Dukha’s conversion to Christianity. They further stated that the land had not been formally divided among family members, making it impossible to allocate a burial space for him.
The escalating situation prompted the intervention of the district administration. A team comprising SP Haris Bin Zaman, Civil SDO Amit Kumar, DSP Sameer Tirki, Jail Superintendent, BDO Pravip Chanda Bhattacharya, and CO Sheela Oraon reached the village to mediate. Despite prolonged discussions with the villagers and local intellectuals, no consensus could be achieved.
“Since Monday, we have been trying to resolve this sensitive issue,” said CO Sheela Oraon. “We involved community leaders and the mission representatives, but the villagers firmly opposed the burial.”
After a 36-hour standoff, the administration decided to move the body. On the instructions of Civil SDO Amit Kumar, the body was transported to Serengahatu village, where it was finally buried outside a cemetery with the help of the police.
This is not the first time Dukha’s family faced such challenges. A similar situation arose during the burial of his father a year ago, highlighting the deep-seated tensions over religious conversion and traditional practices in the region.
Bandhana Oraon, a relative of Dukha, justified the opposition, saying, “He chose another religion. We cannot allow him to be buried in our land. It goes against our beliefs and family traditions.”
The denial of burial rights to family members who have converted from tribal faiths to other religions is an all-too-common phenomenon. Such incidents are reported almost every few months, highlighting the deep-rooted tensions that exist within communities over issues of faith and tradition. However, the recent conflict in Lohardaga district has added a new layer of complexity to this recurring issue.
The clash in Mahuwari village was not simply about the tribal community rejecting a convert’s burial, as is often the case. Instead, the dispute involved two Christian sects—the NWGEL Church and the Pentecostal Church—battling over whether a man who had converted from the Sarna faith deserved burial rights within the village. This unusual and heated disagreement raises serious questions about the divisions within Christianity, a religion that frequently presents itself as inclusive and egalitarian.
The fight over the burial of Dukha Oraon, a Pentecostal Christian, by members of the NWGEL Church underscores a broader issue of denominational discord within Christianity. The incident contradicts the religion’s claims of unity and equality for all believers. While Christianity is often portrayed as a “liberating” faith that offers a sense of community and acceptance, the events in Lohardaga have exposed cracks in this narrative.
This incident has not only brought to light the challenges faced by converts in tribal regions like Jharkhand but has also highlighted the internal divisions that undermine the principles of equality and inclusivity that Christianity espouses.
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