A gram sabha in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district has passed a resolution stating that community land in Punpalli village will not be provided to Christians or converted persons for burials, churches, prayer meetings or other religious gatherings.
The special gram sabha held in Punpalli village on October 2 also resolved to prohibit priests and Christian preachers from entering the village for religious conversion, prayer meetings and other activities.
A statement issued by the Punpalli gram panchayat on Monday said the resolution referred to Article 244(1) of the Constitution, the Fifth Schedule, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, or PESA, and the amended Chhattisgarh PESA law of 2022.
‘Not Even an Inch’ of Community Land
According to the gram panchayat statement, the resolution prohibits the use of gram sabha land by Christians and converted persons for burials, construction of churches, prayer meetings or religious gatherings.
“Not even an inch of gram sabha land would be given to them,” the statement said.
The panchayat said that in case of any dispute or law-and-order situation arising from the decisions, the concerned administrative and legal authorities would be informed and the prescribed legal procedure would be followed.
The village said the resolution was aimed at protecting its cultural identity, traditions, customs and social heritage under the PESA framework.
An information board has also been installed in the village stating that priests and Christian preachers will not be allowed to enter Punpalli for religious conversion, prayer meetings and other activities.
Gram Sabha Passes 12 Proposals
Janpad Panchayat member and BJP Yuva Morcha leader Madkam Bhima said the special gram sabha was held to discuss the village’s traditional social and cultural system, community interests and religious activities.
“The gram sabha passed 12 proposals, including one to constitute a ‘Shanti and Nyay Samiti’ (Peace and Justice Committee). If any outsider enters the village for religious preaching or other such activities, the Shanti and Nyay Samiti will have to be informed first,” Bhima said in a video statement.
He added that the gram sabha had also resolved that land within the gram panchayat limits would not be provided for burying the bodies of converted families.
Bhima said the decisions were taken with the stated aim of protecting the village’s traditional system, social unity and community interests.
“The decisions of the gram sabha should be respected and all issues should be resolved in accordance with the law and constitutional procedure. This is our priority,” he said.
PESA and Gram Sabha Powers
Punpalli falls under Konta Janpad Panchayat in Sukma district.
A gram sabha is an assembly comprising registered voters in a village. Under PESA, gram sabhas in Fifth Schedule Scheduled Areas have additional powers relating to local governance and the protection of traditional systems, customs and community resources.
The Punpalli gram panchayat has cited these provisions while explaining the resolution.
Sarpanch Sonmati Madvi, village head Barse Soma, deputy sarpanch Muchki Nanda, gram patel Barse Pandu and other representatives and villagers were present at the special gram sabha, according to the panchayat statement.
