A mob set fire to a Christian man’s house, vandalising churches and torching a prayer hall
A burial dispute in a village in the central state of Chhattisgarh escalated into violence this week, with a mob setting fire to a Christian man’s house, vandalising churches and torching a prayer hall, police and local residents said, reporred The Wire on Saturday.
At least 20 police personnel were injured in stone-pelting during the clashes.
The incident took place in Badetevda village in Kanker district, which had remained tense for several days following objections by local villagers and Hindu groups to the burial of a Christian man’s father.
Rajman Salam, 36, a local village head (sarpanch) who converted to Christianity several years ago, said his 70-year-old father, Chamra Ram Salam, died in a district hospital on December 15 after a brief illness.
Salam said he initially sought to perform cremation rites in keeping with local Hindu customs but was told he could not do so because of his Christian faith. The family then decided to bury the body on private land according to Christian rituals on December 16.
Local residents objected to the burial, leading to arguments that later turned violent, Salam said. He alleged that members of Hindu groups became involved and that the burial was halted after clashes broke out, leaving several of his relatives injured.
Police said some villagers raised suspicions about the circumstances of the death and objected to the burial on the grounds that it did not follow traditional tribal customs. Following complaints, an executive magistrate ordered the exhumation of the body on December 18 for a post-mortem examination.
Shortly after the exhumation, mobs attacked Christian homes and religious structures in the village, setting at least one house and a prayer hall on fire, according to video footage and local journalists. The footage showed groups armed with sticks and traditional weapons damaging property in the presence of police.
Police said officers and magistrates intervened to restore order but were met with stone-pelting. More than 20 police personnel, including a senior officer, were injured and taken for medical treatment.
In a statement, police said an investigation had been launched and a case registered against those involved in the violence. Senior administrative and police officials were deployed to the village, and authorities said the situation was under control.
Salam accused the administration of failing to act swiftly to prevent the attacks. “Everyone should be allowed to bury their dead,” he said, adding that his family was willing to reach a compromise.
Christian groups said the incident was part of a broader pattern of disputes over burials in central and eastern India. The United Christian Forum said it had documented multiple burial-related incidents in recent years, particularly in Chhattisgarh.
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