Christians are barred from getting community land for religious purposes. According to a resolution passed by a gram sabha in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, allotment of community land for Christian burials, church construction, prayer meetings and other religious gatherings has been restricted. The resolution was adopted by a special gram sabha on October 2nd at Konta Janapad panchayat.
A statement issued by the village panchayat said not an inch of gram sabha land would be given to them. A board announcing the decision was also displayed in the village. Janpad Panchayat member and BJP Yuva Morcha leader Madkam Bhima said the decisions reflect the village’s traditional system, social unity and community interests. He said issues should be resolved as per law and constitutional procedure, and asked villagers to respect the gram sabha’s decisions.
The resolution stemmed from Article 244(1) of the Constitution, the Fifth Schedule, the PESA Act 1996 and the amended Chhattisgarh PESA rules of 2022. The Gram Sabha also cleared twelve proposals, all including the formation of Shanti and Nyaya samitis.
It also resolved that land within the panchayat limits would not be provided for burying converted families.
Janpad Panchayat member and BJP Yuva Morcha leader Madkam Bhima said the decisions reflect the village’s traditional system, social unity and community interests. He said issues should be resolved as per law and constitutional procedure, and asked villagers to respect the gram sabha’s decisions.
The move is likely to draw legal scrutiny, as it bars a religious group from common land. Burial disputes involving Christians in Chhattisgarh have already reached the Supreme Court, including a case from Bastar in which a pastor’s body lay in a mortuary for weeks.
There has been no response so far from the district administration, the state government or Christian bodies.