Tensions Rise in Chhattisgarh After Christian Burial Dispute
In a troubling incident in Bedetevda village, Chhattisgarh, local officials exhumed a tribal man’s body without family approval following a violent clash involving a group of villagers opposed to the burial. The villagers were angered after the family buried the man, Chamru Ram Salam, on land inhabited by Christian relatives, arguing it would insult their sacred beliefs.
This exhumation took place in Kanker District last month, leaving Salam’s family frantically searching for his body and eventually leading them to seek legal intervention. Reports indicate that local authorities later reburied the body in a Christian cemetery, labeling him as a Christian, despite evidence that he practiced traditional tribal customs.
Following the burial on December 16, which adhered to tribal customs, over 500 villagers attempted to destroy Salam’s grave and launched an assault against his family, as well as the 150 Christians who were visiting. The mob claimed the burial site was a sacred space, offended by the mixing of Christian and tribal practices.
The situation escalated, prompting local police to intervene. Rajman Salam, the deceased’s son, stated that he and his family felt forced to flee for their safety after threats emerged of another planned attack.
Rajman expressed dismay over how authorities handled the case. “They didn’t consult us, his immediate family, before taking his body,” he said. His family initiated legal proceedings to establish the whereabouts of Chamru’s body.
Ram Singh Salam, Chamru’s brother, sought help from the Chhattisgarh High Court to reclaim his brother’s body for a traditional burial. However, discrepancies arose during court proceedings, with officials claiming that the family had approved the decision to bury him in a Christian cemetery—a statement Ram Singh strongly denied.
He noted that the authorities had taken unfair advantage of his family, requesting signatures from them without explaining the documentation.
On December 18, a larger mob of around 3,000 from neighboring villages organized and attacked the Salam family’s home. The situation turned chaotic as the attackers threatened anyone who did not participate. Some villagers sided with the mob, motivated by longstanding grievances against Rajman.
The mob wreaked havoc, damaging the Salam home and destroying Christian places of worship. The aggressors also stole cash and personal belongings, setting homes and church buildings ablaze despite police efforts to quell the violence.
Local Christian leaders have since reported that many families have fled in fear, with some returning gradually, while a significant number have abandoned their faith under pressure. The pervasive atmosphere of intimidation has risen since the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2023, and concerns about the safety of Christians have escalated.
Activists and religious leaders emphasize that attacks on places of worship violate India’s constitutional values and call for strong government action against such violence. Despite these challenges, leaders like Pastor Hakku remain steadfast in their faith, asserting that their worship continues regardless of circumstances.
