Raipur: A state-wide Bandh (shutdown) is being observed in Chhattisgarh on December 24 against conversion and the recent dispute over burial of a converted man in Kanker district. The day-long shutdown called by Sarv Samaj has also received support from the Chhattisgarh Chambers of Commerce and Industries and Confederation of All India Traders.
Shops have been closed in most parts of the state with vegetables Mandis (markets) and transport services are also likely to be hit significantly by the shutdown. The Sarv Samaj will also take out a rally in Kanker district and submit a memorandum to the administration.
The Bandh was called almost a week after a major dispute broke out in Kanker’s Aamabeda area over the burial of a village head’s (Sarpanch) father in Bade Tewda village. The controversy erupted after Rajman Salam, the village head of Bade Tewda buried the body of his deceased father on a private land within the village limits despite strong opposition from the villagers on December 16.
The villagers opposed the burial of the Sarpanch’s father within the village limits citing that the same has violated the rules regulation under the fifth schedule and customary practices related to funeral. The locals staged a strong protest against the village head who allegedly threatened the villagers and carried out with the burial. The villagers in turn stages a sit-in asking the administration to intervene and remove the body of the buried person.
The protest intensified on the next morning after the villagers found brick construction on the grave. This led to a tense atmosphere in the village which eventually led to clashes, stone pelting and alleged vandalisation in two of the local Churches. The brawl resulted in injuries to multiple people including policemen. The administration eventually removed the body of the deceased man on December 18.
Addressing a press conference on December 21, the office-bearers of the Sarv Samaj demanded a high-level enquiry into the incident, alleging that the administration’s action was discriminatory. The members alleged that the administration initially refused to take the application of the villagers and failed to act on time.
Demanding strict action against those responsible for attacking the Janjatiye (tribal) community, the members claimed that the locals were attacked by outsiders, which resulted in injuries to around two dozen people.
They further raised questions over the burial of the man without permission from the village assembly, citing that the same is mandatory in areas notified under the Fifth Schedule. The members also pointed fingers on the functioning of impermanent Churches. They further warned that if the administration fails to safeguard the rights and culture of the Sarv Samaj, the society will be forced to fight its own battles from the streets to the courts.
Earlier the members of Sarv Samaj announced a state-wide day-long Bandh against conversion and Kanker’s burial incident. The members pointed out that this is not the only incident of this kind and similar incidents have also surfaced from other Janjati regions of the state. The members alleged that the conversion group associated with Christian missionaries is contributing to such circumstances in a planned manner, which has led to social disharmony.
The government, on the other hand, on Monday appointed Ashok Kumar Rakhecha as Kanker’s new Superintendent of Police (SP). Rakhecha replaced former Kanker SP, Indira Kalyan Elesela who has been given charge as DIG Chhattisgarh Armed Police, Surguja range.
