Christian pastor denied burial as attacks on religious minorities rise in India

After the death of a pastor named Subhash Baghel in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, India, his body was kept in a freezer for nearly three weeks due to bureaucratic hurdles. Pastor Baghel's family wanted to bury him in the cemetery where their family had rested for generations, but this wish proved difficult to fulfill in their remote village. This highlights the challenges faced by religious minorities in practicing their traditions.

Pastor Baghel's funeral was obstructed by right-wing Hindu vigilantes and the village committee. Ramesh Baghel, Pastor Baghel's son, stated, "This happened because he was a Christian. This would not have happened if the government departments had supported me." Ramesh Baghel, who identifies as a third-generation Christian belonging to the New Apostolic Church, said his family has lived in Chhindwada village for generations. The lack of support underscores the discrimination faced by Christian families in the region.

Chhindwada village is a predominantly tribal village with a total population of 6,450. Among them, 450 belong to the Mahara community, of which 350 are Hindus and 100 are Christians. After Pastor Baghel passed away on January 7 due to a prolonged illness, villagers opposed his burial in the village. The Additional Superintendent of Police of Bastar district stated in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court of India that birth, marriage, and death rituals must follow traditional customs. The affidavit also stated, "Anyone who abandons community traditions or converts to Christianity is not allowed to be buried in the village cemetery." The affidavit acknowledged that disputes between Christians and tribal residents have increased in recent years and noted that "whenever a member of the Mahara Christian community dies, the police intervene to prevent conflict and help find a solution." This reveals the complex interplay between religious beliefs, tribal customs, and legal frameworks in the region.

Ramesh Baghel's request to bury his father on his private land was also denied. Baghel stated, "I cannot describe the pain in my heart." This is not an isolated incident. Bastar has long been a battleground for various competing ideologies. Christians, Hindus, and Maoist insurgents are all vying for the support of the region's indigenous tribes, who are mostly animists. According to interviews with local Christians, lawyers, and activists, Hindu nationalist groups in Chhattisgarh have long been angered by the activities of Christian missionaries and, with the support of local political leaders, have attacked and driven out Christian converts in the state. The denial of burial rights highlights the ongoing struggle for religious freedom and the vulnerability of minority communities.

Hindu nationalist groups accuse Christian missionaries of using education and aid projects to lure people away from their traditions. Tribal leader Raja Ram Todem, a former state legislator and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been leading this campaign. Todem stated, "We have unwavering faith in our deities. Christians want to erase our traditions, and we must stop them." He claimed that tensions have escalated in recent years as evangelical missionaries spread their strict version of the faith. "Why should our community tolerate this?" he asked. This reflects the growing concern among some Hindu nationalists about the perceived threat to their cultural and religious identity.

Right-wing Hindu groups have made religious conversion their primary battleground. In the remote Kaknar village, Todem's group held "homecoming" ceremonies for nine of the twelve Christian families still residing there. As part of the ceremony, he gathered the converts and washed their feet. A Hindu priest smashed a coconut on the ground, and these tribal residents—many of whom were not originally Hindu—were declared "returnees." A local lawyer, who requested anonymity, stated that the remaining three Christian families fled out of fear. Todem denied using violence and stated, "We don't want to resort to violence... We didn't do that. We are just saying stay away from our crematorium. Don't come to our village to pray." These "homecoming" ceremonies are examples of the pressure and intimidation tactics used to discourage religious conversion.

This rhetoric has translated into action. The United Christian Forum, a human rights organization, has documented more than 4,000 incidents of anti-Christian violence in India over the past decade, including forced conversions, church burnings, and violent mob attacks. In the past year alone, they have recorded more than 834 cases of persecution, including attacks on churches and prayer meetings, harassment of Christian families, social exclusion, and criminal cases based on forced conversion allegations. Michael Williams, president of the United Christian Forum, believes that hate speech against minorities is being used as a political tool. He stated, "You are creating a fear in people's minds that 1 billion Hindus will soon be outnumbered by minorities. If you can sell that lie, you can win elections, and we have seen that in the past three elections." This highlights the growing trend of religious polarization and its impact on minority communities.

According to the most recent 2011 census, Christians make up only 2.3% of India's 1.4 billion population. But this number may be underestimated because the government only counts those who are formally registered as Christians. Some researchers also believe that violence against Muslims has increased amid campaigns by Hindu political parties seeking to galvanize their voter base. Williams believes that Prime Minister Modi and his Hindu nationalist party, the BJP, are responsible for this violence. Williams stated, "I have never heard him say that, under any circumstances, no one will touch any minority, and if anyone is caught, they will face the consequences." This underscores the concerns about the government's role in protecting religious minorities and addressing hate speech.

On January 27, Ramesh was finally able to bury his father—20 days after his death. He submitted the matter to the Chhattisgarh High Court, arguing that his family—including his grandfather and aunt—had been buried in the village cemetery without opposition. But the court rejected his request, ruling that a space had been designated for Christians elsewhere. The court argued that allowing burial in the village could lead to riots and public discord. Ramesh appealed the decision but ultimately lost. He was forced to bury his father 25 kilometers away from home. He said, "This is a one-sided justice. This is a dictatorship. It is the government's responsibility to implement law and order. What can a common man do?" A request for comment has been submitted to the Prime Minister's Office. The case highlights the challenges faced by religious minorities in accessing basic rights and the need for stronger legal protections.