A dispute erupted following the death of a Christian woman and disagreements over her burial in the village of Badebodal, Nangur area, Jagdalpur, on Monday. The altercation left eight people injured, including Sarpanch Gangaram, who was assaulted while attempting to mediate. Authorities have arrested five individuals so far, and police force has been deployed to maintain law and order in the area. The injured, including the Sarpanch, are undergoing treatment at Jagdalpur Medical College Hospital. This incident is the latest in a series of disputes over burial land between tribal and Christian communities in the region. Previously, the Christian community staged demonstrations demanding designated burial grounds and protection for crops, as tensions between the two groups have intensified. The issue of religious conversion has further exacerbated these conflicts, particularly in Bastar, where it has become a politically charged topic. Disputes often arise around claims of land ownership and religious practices, bringing the tribal society and Christian community into direct conflict.

 

The Christian community recently sought to organise a prayer festival on November 8–10 in Bastar, with religious leader Paul Dinakaran scheduled to attend. However, the administration denied permission for the event, citing law and order concerns. Earlier plans for the festival at Kalipur and later at Mission Ground and Mango Garden were similarly blocked. Hindu organizations alleged that the prayer festival was a cover for conversion activities targeting tribal communities. The Christian community has faced continued resistance in Bastar, particularly over burial practices.

 

They have demanded land for cemeteries and have staged protests to highlight their grievances. A similar incident occurred months ago in Marora village, Narayanpur, where disagreements over burial land escalated into a larger conflict. The recurring disputes over burial rights and allegations of conversion have created a volatile atmosphere in Bastar. As the Christian community continues to push for their demands, tensions with the tribal community show no signs of easing, raising concerns about communal harmony in the region