In Odisha Christians denied the right to bury their dead, forced to convert to Hinduism
In Siunaguda, Odisha, a Christian family was denied the right to bury a loved one until they agreed to convert him back to Hinduism. The incident, which is part of a broader pattern of religious discrimination, has raised concern among activists and religious leaders, who slam increasing pressure on Christian minorities in India's states with large tribal communities.
Nabarangpur (AsiaNews) – Christians in the eastern Indian state of Odisha have been denied the right to bury their loved ones until they convert to Hinduism.
The latest case occurred on 3 March, in Siunaguda, a village 20 km from Umerkote (Nabarangpur), when the family of a 70-year-old man was not allowed to bury him.
“As the Preamble of the Indian constitution says, India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic with the goal of securing justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. The right to freedom of religion is guaranteed under Articles 25 to 28, encompassing the freedom to profess, practise, and propagate religion,” said Turpu Santa, the deceased man’s elder son.
“As Indian citizens we have the right to bury our loved ones in our land," he explained. However, “we are not even allowed to bury our dear father in our land as Christians,” without converting to Hinduism, he lamented.
Siunaguda is a Hindu-majority village with only three Christian families.
“We accepted Hinduism out of fear," the son said, noting that his father had embraced Christianity five years earlier, but was forced to posthumously reconvert to Hinduism.
Ajay Suna, a missionary with the Blessings Youth Mission (BYM) in Siunaguda, expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
The episode is part of a broader pattern of discrimination against religious minorities.
“Because of some disrespectful and insensitive people, India, known for its tolerance, respect, hospitality, peace, fraternity and brotherhood, is losing its image as a secular country,” said Benjamin Upasi, head of Brothers in Assembly in Umerkote.
For Fr Ajaya Singh, a Catholic priest and human rights activist, the denial of burial is a serious violation of fundamental rights. “It is unconstitutional and a violation of human rights and disrespect for the dignity of person even after death,” he explained.
Fr Singh notes that a recent ruling by the Indian Supreme Court is becoming a pretext for more discriminatory acts. “Denying Christians the right bury their dead follows a recent Supreme Court ruling not allowing a Christian in Chattisgarh to be buried in his own land. This has opened Pandora’s box,” Fr Ajaya Singh noted.
What is more, he warns that, “This is an alibi for fanatics to intimidate Christians into forceful abandonment of the Christian faith. This is not in line with our secular faith and social fabric.”
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03/12/2020 15:12
