Mob vandalises prayer hall over burial dispute in Bastar

The Hindu reports that a mob vandalised a prayer hall in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh, on Thursday (December 18, 2025) after a burial dispute over Christian customs. Several people, including police personnel, sustained injuries in intermittent clashes over the past three days.

Tensions began in Bade Teoda village after village sarpanch Rajman Salam buried his father on Tuesday according to Christian rites. Mr Salam said he had converted to Christianity but his father had not. Village elders opposed the burial because it followed Christian rituals instead of tribal customs. Mr Salam alleged his political rival instigated the opposition.

Despite heavy police presence, the body was exhumed on Thursday and taken elsewhere. Later, angry villagers attacked the prayer hall. A senior police officer said legal action would follow after post-mortem. Bastar has seen previous violence over Christian burial rights; earlier this year the Supreme Court addressed a similar case.