By Sujata Jena
Nabarangpur, Odisha, April 16: Villagers in Dumurimunda, Odisha, kept Raymati Gond’s body at home for more than a day, opposing burial amid allegations of religious conversion.
Raymati Gond died on April 13 at around 3 pm, but her final rites were delayed amid strong opposition from sections of the village.
According to local sources, the deceased belonged to a Christian family in a predominantly Adivasi Hindu village. While around eight families in the village have been practising Christianity for over a decade, nearly 200 families reportedly objected to the burial, triggering a tense standoff.
“The body was not allowed to be taken for last rites due to opposition from villagers,” said Pastor Gaurav of Nabarangpur.
He added that senior officials, including the Tahasildar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and Superintendent of Police (SP), reached the village on the morning of April 13 and attempted to defuse the situation.
Despite repeated appeals by the administration, villagers refused to relent. “Officials tried to convince them, but they did not agree,” the pastor said.
The impasse was resolved on April 14 at around 7 pm when the police administration intervened, dispersed the opposing villagers, and provided protection to the bereaved family. The burial was eventually conducted on the family’s patta (legally owned) land within the village.
In a related development, Pastor Gaurav said another Christian death was reported in Kopena village a day earlier, but the body is still awaiting burial.
“As the administration was engaged in Dumurimunda, they have not yet reached Kopena,” he said, adding that officials are expected to visit the village on April 15.
Nabarangpur district has reported multiple instances of burial denial in recent years. Pastor Gaurav further stated that the District Collector has assured the allocation of a common burial ground for Christians across clusters of villages.
“Until such arrangements are made, the administration has promised to assist families in burying their deceased on private land,” he said.
The incident underscores ongoing social and religious tensions in parts of rural India, raising concerns over the denial of basic burial rights even after death.
(Photo supplied)
Correction: An earlier version of this story mistakenly reported the incident as current. It was a similar case from February and was erroneously reposted.