Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Punpalli Burial Resolution Sparks Dispute Over Christian Funeral Rights
Punpalli is a village in Chhattisgarh where the village council passed 12 resolutions.
One says the village will not provide land for burials to tribal residents who are Christian.
A notice also says some religious activities and events about conversion will not be allowed.
Christian families say this could mean travelling far to bury their dead.
A village representative says the rules are meant to protect tribal customs and are based on PESA.
A lawyer says denying burial land to Christian residents is unconstitutional.
Christian representatives say similar rules are appearing in other villages and that a Supreme Court ruling is being misused.
The district panchayat chief said he would check the matter if he received a written complaint.
Punpalli’s Gram Sabha passed 12 resolutions on October 2, including refusing village land for burials of tribal residents who follow Christianity.
A village notice also opposes events related to religious conversion and religious preaching by outsiders.
Punpalli has about 2,000 residents, including 21 Christian families with 75 members; burial alternatives mentioned are Dhornapal, over 13 kilometres away, and Sukma, over 40 kilometres away.
Village representative Madkam Bhima said the resolutions rely on PESA to protect tribal culture; advocate Sudeep Shrivastava called denying burial land to Christian residents unconstitutional.
Christian representatives allege similar resolutions are spreading and say a Supreme Court burial-rights ruling is being misused; the Sukma district panchayat CEO said he would assess legality if sent a written complaint.
- Who
- Punpalli’s Gram Sabha passed the resolutions; they affect tribal residents who follow Christianity.
- What
- The resolutions include refusing village land for Christian burials and restricting certain religious activities.
- When
- The Gram Sabha passed the resolutions at an October 2 meeting; the year is not specified for that meeting.
- Where
- Punpalli village, Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, India.
- Why
- The Gram Sabha cited protection of tribal culture, traditions, social unity and identity; Christian representatives and a lawyer dispute the restrictions.
Gram Sabha and supporters
Christian representatives and critics
Purpose of the restrictions
Gram Sabha and supporters
The Gram Sabha cited PESA and said the measures aim to protect tribal culture, traditions, social unity and identity.
Christian representatives and critics
Christian representatives describe the restrictions as discriminatory and say Christian residents are being denied burial arrangements in their village.
Burial access and legality
Gram Sabha and supporters
Madkam Bhima said the village was following PESA and not violating the law. The first article also presents the village position as protecting customary community spaces.
Christian representatives and critics
Advocate Sudeep Shrivastava said denying burial land to a village resident because they profess Christianity is unconstitutional.
Spread of resolutions and Supreme Court ruling
Gram Sabha and supporters
The articles provide no direct response from the Gram Sabha to the allegation that outside groups are encouraging similar resolutions.
Christian representatives and critics
Nukesh Baghel alleged that right-wing workers are encouraging villages to adopt restrictions and said the Supreme Court's split verdict and interim relief against forcible exhumation are being misused.
- Village population
- About 2,000 residents
- Christian residents
- 21 families, comprising 75 people
- Gram Sabha decisions
- 12 resolutions passed at an October 2 meeting
- Burial alternatives mentioned
- Dhornapal, over 13 kilometres away, or Sukma headquarters, over 40 kilometres away
- Law cited by the Gram Sabha
- Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA)
- Other villages
- Madkam Bhima said four villages in Sukma had adopted similar resolutions; Nukesh Baghel said Punpalli was at least the 10th in the Bastar region
- District official's response
- Sukma Zilla Panchayat CEO Mukund Thakur said he would review legality if he received a written complaint
