• To safeguard their Way of Life, some village Gram Panchayats put hoardings barring entry of Xtan Pastors. The Chhattisgarh High Court refused prayer to remove hoardings. Petitioners argued based on Articles 25-freedom to propagate religion and Art 19.  

An Indian Express report title “SC dismisses plea against Chhattisgarh village hoardings barring Christian pastors” had me surprised. Excerpts- 

“The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging the Chhattisgarh High Court order, which asked petitioners challenging hoardings put up by some gram sabhas barring the entry of Christian “pastors and priests” over fears of alleged forced religious conversion, to approach the statutory authority under the state Panchayat Upbandh (Anusuchit Kshetron par Vistar) Niyam or PESA Rules.” 

Using Article 25, petitioners argued– Right to Propagate is Right to Convert. The HC order said, “Religious conversion has long been a sensitive issue in India’s socio-political landscape. Among the various forms of conversion, those allegedly carried out by Christian missionaries among poor and illiterate tribal and rural populations have generated particular controversy.” 1

“Narrating the history of missionary activity in the country, the HC said that it began with the establishment of schools, hospitals, and welfare institutions aimed at social uplift, literacy, and health care. “However, over time, some missionary groups began using these platforms as avenues for proselytisation”. 1

The judgement added, “for many tribal groups, religion is intertwined with their ancestral traditions and ecological worldview. Conversion disrupts this organic connection. The erosion of tribal faiths often results in the loss of indigenous languages, rituals, and customary laws.” 1

ST of Bastar during Bastar Dussehra 2018.

ST of Kohima Nagaland excluding the fair man in the centre. 2014.  

SC confirmed the HC decision of October 25, 2025. So, I downloaded the HC order. Here are key points from Order – 

The petitioners prayed-

1. “Declare that the hoardings erected in the village set out in para 8.2 of this petition are unconstitutional, illegal and in violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 25 and 19(1)(d) of the Constitution of India.” 2 They wanted the hoardings removed and Police be directed to provide protection to pastors and those residing in villages.

2. “At least 8 Villages of Kanker District have erected hoardings which say that the entry of Pastors and so called 'Converted Christians' is prohibited in the village.” 2

3. “Pursuant to Section 4(d) of the PESA Act, the Gram Sabha is competent to protect the identity and culture of the village. It has been further stated that tribals are being converted by enticement and the culture is being damaged.” 2

4. “Learned counsel for the petitioners further submit that the hoardings and the Gram Sabha resolutions also violate right of citizen to move freely throughout the territory of India.” 2

5. “It is settled law that conversion to Christianity, in case of Scheduled Tribe, does not take away a Tribal's Scheduled Tribe status.” 2

This law encourages conversions to Islam and Christianity. The law needs to change.

6. “Under sub-rule 10 of Rule 6, the Gram Sabha have also the power to protect local cultural heritage, such as places of deities, worship systems, institutions (like Gotul, dhumkudia) and humanistic social practices from any kind of destructive behaviour.” 2

Gotul, Jagdalpur Museum, 2012. 

Gotul is an institution where unmarried boys and girls spend their nights. This regulates prenuptial interest of the tribal youths as a training centre to make them disciplined and good members of the society. Ghotul represents a genuine centre for developing the human spirit and some of the psychological and social problems at a certain stage. Ghotul is found among Muria tribe of Bastar. First two huts on right and area in front is Ghotul. Smaller hut to i.e. on its left is Devgudi, where the Devatas and Devis are kept. 

State government Advocate response (excerpts from HC Order) –

1. “Under sub-rule 10 of Rule 6, the Gram Sabha have also the power to protect local cultural heritage, such as places of deities, worship systems, institutions (like Gotul, dhumkudia) and humanistic social practices from any kind of destructive behaviour.” 2

2. In the year 2023, a large scale violence had taken place in District Narayanpur due to the issue of illegal conversion of tribals and endangering the tribal culture and heritage.”  2

3. “The tribal villagers have made a complaint against people belonging to Christian community that they were luring the villagers on the pretext of curing their disease and were illegally converting them to Christian faith.” 2

4. “The expression “right to propagate religion” under Article 25 of the Constitution, as interpreted in Rev. Stainislaus (supra), does not extend to converting another person through inducement, force, or fraudulent means. The Act of 1968 prohibits such activities. Therefore, a general cautionary hoarding intended to prevent illegal conversion activities, cannot, per s be termed unconstitutional.” 2

The above form part of the HC order signed by CJI Sihha and Judge B D Guru. The order covers the provision and understanding of Article 25 (right to propagate religion) in some detail.

For Chhattisgarh High Court order in PDF, click on PDF. Credits High Court.

I visited Bastar, Chhatisgarh twice 2012 and 2018, stayed there for more than 5 days each time and saw how active the Church is there. During 2012 visit met a convert in Jagdalpur, who told me, showing off his newly bought Shoes, that wearing tribal clothes was being backward.

Extract from my 2015 article, Bengaluru based media personality Mohandas Pai was quoted in the Economic Times, “I have a personal experience of evangelical groups trying to convert members of my family. Two house maids who converted said that the school where their children went raised fees and due to their inability to pay, they were told they would waive it if they converted (which they were forced to do). Of course, the school was rabid in their evangelism with these children. When asked, inevitably they spoke about evangelicals groups that gave them free education for children and paid their medical bills, provided they converted.” This ET link is no longer found

 http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-citings/conversion-a-new-breed-of-evangelical-groups-that-are-like-hyper-growth-startups/

Will any government change the law to ensure that ST who convert are no longer ST?

Errors if any are without malafide intent. I am happy to stand corrected. Love.

References and Also read

1. SC dismisses plea against Chhattisgarh village hoardings barring Christian pastors – Indian Express

2. Chhattisgarh High Court order dated 28/10/25 – Copyright with High Court. 

3. Conversions-Missing the Wood for the Trees

4. Album Jagdalpur

5. RKM Ashrama, Narayanpur, Bastar Album