A joint fact-finding team from Odisha Lawyers Forum and activists visited Nabarangpur District, uncovering widespread violations of fundamental, constitutional, and human rights—primarily against Adivasi, Dalit, and Christian minorities. This included denial of burial rights forced conversions to Hinduism, social boycotts, and administrative apathy.
Documented Incidents:
Multiple cases reveal a disturbing pattern where Christian families were harassed or coerced when attempting to bury their deceased:
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Saravan Gond (20): Denied burial in Raighar block unless converted to Hinduism. After violent attacks and forced exhumation, his body disappeared. Police inaction persists despite a formal complaint.
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Keshav Santa (85): Though Hindu, his Christian sons were forced to reconvert for burial in Umerkote block. Past family members also faced similar threats. Complaints led to further coercion by authorities.
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Domu Jani (60): A Christian Adivasi whose burial was blocked in Pondikote village. His widow was pressured to convert; burial was allowed only in a remote forest.
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Madhu Harijan (27): Denied burial in Menjar village unless "converted." The family, desperate and unsupported, discarded Christian rites and buried him under Hindu customs.
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Chandra Harijan (73): In Suruguda village, opposition to Christian rites forced his widow to perform Hindu burial despite his Christian faith.
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Jitu Batra (60): Denied burial in Gulibodona, his body remained unburied for two days amidst threats. Eventually interred 7 km away, far from ancestral land.
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Pushpanjali Bagh (20): Denied burial in Umerkote due to her faith. Administrative failures and Hindu opposition sparked protests, curfews, and a five-day delay before burial.
Common Themes:
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Coerced Conversions: Bereaved families are often forced to convert to Hinduism or conduct Hindu funerals against their wishes.
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Burial Denial: Christians are barred from using common or even private land for burials.
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Administrative Failure: Police and local officials fail to uphold constitutional rights, sometimes aiding aggressors.
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Communal Campaigns: The VHP’s “Jago aur Jagao” campaign actively encourages denial of burial rights to Christians, claiming they did not seek “permission” for conversion.
Socioeconomic Backdrop:
Nabarangpur is Odisha's poorest district, with 59.31% living in multidimensional poverty. Illiteracy, especially among Adivasi women (72%), fuels superstition and ignorance about rights, exacerbating religious discrimination.
Constitutional Violations:
These acts contravene Articles 17, 19, 21, and 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee dignity, freedom of belief, and equality. Yet, authorities often remain indifferent, facilitating impunity for violators.
Lack of Civil Society Response:
Despite the severity, no major civil society or statutory commissions appear to be addressing these ongoing violations, deepening the trust deficit among victims.
Conclusion:
These incidents are not isolated. They reflect a systemic erosion of India's constitutional values—faith, dignity, and diversity. Cases like that of Gangadhar and Tirpu Santa highlight the personal trauma and social fracture imposed on minority families. The state’s silence and complicity pose a grave challenge to India’s secular fabric.
