Indian Christians denied burial rights amid religious tensions

Unless they re-convert to Hinduism, Christian families in Odisha's Nabarangpur district in eastern India are subject to severe discrimination.

The latest incident occurred on March 3, 2025, when a 70-year-old Christian man from Siunaguda village, located 20 km from Umerkote block, was refused burial due to his faith.

Turpu Santa, the elder son of the deceased, expressed his distress: “As Indian citizens, we have every right to bury our loved ones in our land."

"The Indian Constitution, as stated in its Preamble, upholds sovereignty, socialism, secularism, democracy, and justice. Articles 25 to 28 guarantee the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion. Yet, we are denied these fundamental rights," he said.

Siunaguda is a predominantly Hindu village with 30 families, of which only three are Christian.

Santa expressed further lament, saying, "Our land does not permit us to bury our father."

"The villagers insist that he must reconvert to Hinduism for burial in their cemetery. We accepted Hinduism out of fear, but we should have the freedom to follow our faith.”

Ajay Suna, a missionary from the Blessings Youth Missionary (BYM) denomination in Siunaguda, expressed his solidarity with the bereaved family, condemning the injustice, harassment, and discrimination.

Brother Benjamin Upasi, Umerkote Brother in charge of the Brothers In Assembly (BIA) denomination, emphasized the moral and ethical obligation to respect the deceased: “Respecting the dead acknowledges their dignity and provides closure for their loved ones. This act of religious intolerance tarnishes India’s long-standing reputation for tolerance, respect, peace, and fraternity.”

Ajaya Kumar Singh, a Catholic priest of the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archdiocese and human rights activist, strongly denounced the act, calling it an “unconstitutional violation of human rights and disrespect for human dignity, even after death.”

Singh pointed out that this incident follows a recent Supreme Court verdict in Chhattisgarh state, which ruled against a Christian's right to burial in his land. This verdict has created a precedent that allows extremists to coerce Christians into renouncing their faith. Other parts of Odisha are reporting similar incidents, he warned.

Religious leaders and activists are calling for urgent intervention to uphold constitutional rights and protect the religious freedom of all citizens in India.

The case of the denied burial in Siunaguda highlights the ongoing struggle for religious tolerance and equal rights for Christian minorities in the region.