Chhattisgarh: Tension over burial of converted village head father in Kanker

Raipur: Tension simmering in Kanker’s Bade Tewda village over the burial of a man with villagers launching a major protest, demanding removal of the body from the grave. The controversy erupted after the village head (Sarpanch) a converted Christian man buried his father within the village premise following the latter’s death on Sunday.

The move however, did not boded well with local villagers who started protesting against the burial citing that the same has violated the long followed traditional practice. The villagers alleged that the Sarpanch has misused his power in the matter and carried out the burial without holding any consultation.

The matter escalated further when a large number of villagers staged a strong protest against the burial. This led to a tense atmosphere in the village, learning about which, officials from police and administration rushed to the village and tried calming the situation by interacting with both the sides.

#कांकेर– शव दफनाने पर विवाद, धर्मांतरित सरपंच के विरोध में एकजुट हुए ग्रामीण, धर्मांतरित सरपंच ने पिता का शव किया दफन, ग्रामीणों ने सरपंच पर लगाए गुंडागर्दी के आरोप, सरपंच के खिलाफ ग्रामीणों का धरना#Kanker #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/WcmSCwH3Fh

— News18 Chhattisgarh (@News18CG) December 16, 2025

The agitated villagers raised slogans and also marched towards the grave on Wednesday while the police tried to stop them. The confrontation reportedly resulted in injuries to a few individuals including policemen.

Adequate deployment of security personnel have been made at the village with official keeping a close watch on the situation. A delegation of the villagers also met with the officials submitting their demand. The authorities on the other hand have assured lawful action into the matter.

Read more at: SC bench upholds High Court’s order, deceased to be buried in Christian graveyard outside village

Dispute over burial of converted tribals within the village limits have also led to similar law and order situation in the past, with a section of villagers arguing that the converted individuals should be either buried in Christian crematoriums or outside the village premise.

Similar disputes over burials in tribal populated areas of Bastar have also led to legal battles in courts, underscoring the growing discomfort between the tribal community and those who have converted and left the age-old traditional practices considered unalienable to the tribal society.