Pastor’s Son Leads Charge To Defend Christian Burial Rights
Ramesh Baghel has emerged as a key figure in advocating for the burial rights of Christians in Chhattisgarh. After struggling for weeks to bury his father, Pastor Subhash Baghel, in their village, Ramesh is now preparing a new petition to the Supreme Court of India. Despite a clear court directive issued in January 2024 requiring the state to designate Christian burial grounds across Chhattisgarh within two months, the state government has failed to act. The deadline passed without any implementation, prompting Ramesh to seek further legal intervention.
Pastor Baghel died on January 7, 2024, and attempts to bury him in the family’s traditional burial site were met with resistance from villagers and local groups, including members of the Hindu nationalist BJP. Although the Christian Mahar community had no objections, local authorities sided with opposition groups. After exhausting all options and being denied permission to use even private land, Ramesh turned to the Supreme Court. The court’s split verdict ultimately upheld the High Court’s decision to bury Pastor Baghel in a Christian cemetery 25 miles away, overriding his family’s wishes.
The burial was conducted hastily at midnight under police supervision, violating Christian customs. Witnesses reported that authorities disregarded requests to wait until morning for proper last rites. Community members believe the rushed burial was aimed at avoiding further legal challenges. The event highlighted the systemic issues Christians face in accessing basic religious rights, including dignified burial according to their faith traditions.
Further worsening the situation, the Chhindwada village council later passed a resolution explicitly banning Christian burials in the village graveyard and enforcing a social and economic boycott of Christian residents. Christians were denied access to public services, labor, and even faced fines for community interactions. These actions have created deep divisions in the village and added to the growing concerns of discrimination against religious minorities.
Religious tensions have been on the rise across Chhattisgarh, with Christians reporting increased hostility, violence, and displacement in recent years. Despite the Supreme Court’s attempt to safeguard burial rights, lack of enforcement has left Christian communities vulnerable. Ramesh Baghel’s pursuit of justice has now become a broader movement for dignity and equal rights for Christians in the region.