New Delhi [India], January 25 (HBTV): The Supreme Court has directed the Chhattisgarh government to provide clear details of an alternative burial ground designated for Christians in response to a plea by a man seeking permission to bury his deceased father in their native village. The body of the deceased has been lying in a mortuary since January 7.
A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathana and Satish Chandra Sharma reserved its verdict on Wednesday while urging all parties to expedite a resolution.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the petitioner, argued that a burial site exists within the petitioner’s native village. He claimed that the state’s insistence on using a designated burial ground located 20 kilometers away is discriminatory.
‘Where we have a place de facto delineated in the village, to ask me to go outside (for burial) is discriminatory,’ Gonsalves stated, emphasizing that the move represents hostile discrimination against individuals who converted to Christianity.
The senior counsel also highlighted that the petitioner’s ancestors were buried in the village and questioned why Christians should be barred from continuing this tradition.
In contrast, Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta, representing the state, argued that an alternative burial site for Christians is available 20 kilometers away and is used by residents of four nearby villages. He contended that permitting burials within the disputed village could disrupt public order, citing hypothetical scenarios that could lead to communal tensions.
Justice Nagarathana criticized the state's affidavit for lacking specific details about the designated burial area, such as its location and extent. She directed the Chhattisgarh government to submit a fresh response addressing these deficiencies.
‘Where is that designated village? What is the name of the village and place mentioned? We want a categorical statement that such a designated place exists,’ the court stated.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves represented petitioner Ramesh Baghel, while SGI Tushar Mehta appeared for the Chhattisgarh government, and Additional Solicitor General of India K.M. Nataraj represented the village panchayat.
(ANI)