NEW DELHI – A disturbing wave of communal discrimination is sweeping through Odisha’s Nabarangpur district, where Christian Adivasis are being denied their fundamental right to bury their dead with dignity. A recent fact-finding report by legal experts and human rights activists has documented at least seven serious cases of burial denial, desecration, and coerced religious conversion since 2022—exposing deep communal fault lines in one of Odisha’s poorest regions.
Ironically, these violations are occurring in the home district of the state’s Minister for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Minorities—raising serious questions about political accountability and the lack of administrative will, media reports reaching here said on Thursday.
The report reveals a disturbing pattern of systemic discrimination and violation of constitutional rights. It outlines a consistent failure by local authorities to act on behalf of vulnerable tribal Christian communities—despite repeated pleas for help.
Exhumed, Denied, Converted: Ground-Level Findings
A joint fact-finding team, comprising members of the Odisha Lawyers Forum and local activists, visited Nabarangpur from April 26–27, 2024. The team included Manas Jena, Ajaya Kumar Singh, and advocates Sebati Soren, Sujata Jena, and Kulakant D.
Among the documented cases:
1. Body Exhumed and Stolen
Saravan Gond (20), a tribal Christian youth who died while working in Maharashtra, was buried in his native village. Soon after, his body was exhumed and stolen by local elements opposing Christian burials.
2. Buried Faith, Denied Rights
Keshav Santa (85), a Hindu Adivasi from Siunaguda village, died on March 2, 2025. While Keshav followed Hinduism, his sons had embraced Christianity—provoking hostility from villagers who objected to a Christian burial. His son, Tirpu Santa, was forced to sign a document falsely declaring himself a Hindu to bury his father. Previously, Tirpu had also been denied burial rights for his daughter and cousin under similar pressure.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.