Ramesh Baghel’s Battle for Christian Burial in Conflict-Ridden Chhattisgarh
In a small village nestled in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, 45-year-old Ramesh Baghel continues to face an uphill battle to fulfill his late father Subhash’s wish. Baghel, a farmer from Chhindwada, is fighting to have his father buried in the village graveyard despite intense opposition from local groups.
Three Weeks of Hope and Struggle
It has been three weeks since Subhash Baghel passed away. Despite the sorrow, Ramesh has remained steadfast, vowing not to see or move his father’s body until his wish is granted. He approached the Supreme Court on January 18, seeking permission to bury his father in the village graveyard. This move was met with strong opposition from various village factions, leading the Chhattisgarh High Court to dismiss his petition on January 9. The High Court held that the petition “may cause unrest and disharmony in public at large.”
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on January 27, which means Ramesh must continue his quest to keep his promise. “Seeing his body might weaken my resolve,” Baghel told The Indian Express.
The Divided Village of Chhindwada
Chhindwada, a tribal majority village with a population of 6,450, sits at the heart of this conflict. Among its inhabitants are 6,000 tribal families and 450 Dalit Maharas, including Baghel. The village has a mixed religious profile, with over 100 Christians, primarily Mahara and tribal converts.
In February 2024, the Gram Sabha passed a resolution banning burials in the village graveyard for those who have abandoned the “Rudi Parampara,” a traditional set of tribal beliefs and practices. This resolution extended beyond tribal converts, impacting Dalit Maharas like Ramesh.
Ramesh Baghel outside a church in his backyard in Chhindwada village in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar | (Express photo: Jayprakash S Naidu)
The Social Toll of Discrimination
Baghel’s struggle is not only legal but also personal and social. He has faced social ostracism due to the Gram Sabha’s resolution, which mandates “social non-cooperation” for anyone violating the rule. His family’s grocery store has been shut down, and he cannot find laborers to work his farm. The Baghels, who once had a thriving business and owned vehicles, now face severe financial hardship.
“Life has become a nightmare,” Ramesh says. “I can’t get anyone to work in my farm, and no one wants to buy from my store anymore.” With no income, the family of seven is struggling to make ends meet.
Conversion and Transformation
Ramesh’s father, Subhash, was one of the village’s first Christian converts in the 1980s. His conversion, along with that of Ramesh’s grandfather, brought significant changes to the family. “Due to Christianity, they came in touch with good people, and their bad habits stopped,” Ramesh explains.
The family’s progress is evident in their possessions, which have increased over the years. “We progressed from having a cycle to owning cars.” However, the community’s sentiment has not evolved at the same pace.
Past Conflicts and Legal Proceedings
The村里’s resistance against village burials for converts has led to previous conflicts. In October 2023, a Christian died in a nearby village, and his cousin faced arrest for attempting to bury him without permission. Such incidents have heightened tensions in Chhindwada.
The Supreme Court is now the final arbiter in this case. Baghel’s lawyer, Degree Prasad Chouhan, argues that similar cases are rampant in the Bastar region, often fueled by the misapplication of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) of 1996.
The Clash of Cultural and Religious Identities
Supporters of the Gram Sabha’s resolution argue that it is necessary to protect tribal identity. “We decided that since they gave up their identity and accepted a new one, they must not be allowed to use our graveyard either,” explains Sukram Kashyap, a government teacher and village leader.
However, Christian groups such as the Grahmin Isai Seva Samiti and the Progressive Christian Alliance view the resolution as a tactic to provoke communal issues. “They want to divide our village on religious lines,” says Nukesh Baghel, vice-president of the Grahmin Isai Seva Samiti.
A place of worship in Chhindwara village in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar | (Express photo: Jayprakash S Naidu)
The Impact on Ramesh Baghel and His Family
Ramesh’s family has been deeply affected by the situation. His childhood friends have distanced themselves, and he has experienced significant mental health issues. “Since my father’s death, I’ve had many sleepless nights. Every interview with the press brings back bad memories,” he says.
The Baghels’ situation reflects the broader social divides in Chhindwada. “We wonder if it’s such a big crime to be Christians that Bastar people are willing to accept dead Maoists, criminals, and rapists but not us,” Ramesh adds bitterly.
The Road Ahead
The Supreme Court’s ruling on January 27 may provide some clarity, but the social and cultural divide remains deep. The case of Ramesh Baghel highlights the complex interplay between tribal identity, religious freedom, and community harmony in Chhattisgarh.
As tensions continue to simmer, the saga of Ramesh Baghel serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by minorities in upholding their cultural and religious rights.
Some women consoling the family at Ramesh Baghel’s home in Chhindwada village in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar | (Express photo: Jayprakash S Naidu)
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