Tribal Christian Families Evicted in Chhattisgarh, Panchayat Bars Their Return after Refusing Gharwapsi Call.

Chhattisgarh: Tribal Christian Families Boycotted, Driven from Homes; Panchayat Bans Their Return Amid Fears of Renewed Christian Conversion Activities.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Sukma | Aug 8, 2026:: Many tribal Christian families in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district were allegedly subjected to social boycotts and forced to leave their homes by Hindutva groups. In a strict order, the village panchayat has also prohibited the families from returning, citing concerns over an alleged recurrence of Christian conversion activities in neighbouring villages.

The families, belonging to Chitalnar village in Sukma district, have reportedly been facing harassment from Hindutva groups, including villagers associated with such organisations, HENB has learnt.

Speaking to the media outlet Maktoob, Sagar, who has been assisting the displaced families, alleged that the police had refused to take action and had allowed the situation to deteriorate further.

“Despite numerous complaints, the police have refused to take any action, forcing the families to leave their homes,” he alleged.

Christian families in Sukma district have reportedly faced targeted assaults, social boycotts and displacement.

According to reports, around 10 Christian families in the village were assaulted by a mob in March 2026, with Hindutva groups allegedly demanding their “ghar wapsi”, or return to Hinduism. Two people were reportedly hospitalised following the assault.

Fears of Renewed Christian Conversion Activities

Villagers, however, alleged that the identified Christian families were associated with certain churches and were involved in alleged proselytisation activities targeting economically vulnerable tribal families of Hindu backgrounds. They accused the families of offering assurances of faith healing and other inducements to encourage conversion to Christianity.

The villagers further alleged that, despite repeated requests, the identified Christian families had refused to stop their evangelical activities.

Banned from Entering the Village

The families were allegedly forced to leave the village amid continuing pressure and violence. However, the gram panchayat later stated in a letter to police officials that the families had left voluntarily and that they had subsequently been barred from entering the village.

In July 2026, the Gram Panchayat of Chitalnar prepared a formal written notice addressed to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Puspal Police Station. The notice was signed by the Up-Sarpanch, adopted by the Gram Sabha and countersigned by village residents.

According to Maktoob, which reported having seen the letter, it stated:

“Some families have accepted Christianity, which the village has not accepted. We held a meeting and decided peacefully that the families should convert back to Hinduism. However, on 5 March 2026, they left the village themselves. The Gram Panchayat of Chitalnar will not allow anyone from the Christian faith to enter the village. If anyone tries to enter the village and any incident occurs, it will not be our responsibility.”

Sagar disputed the panchayat’s account, alleging that the families had been forced to leave and were subsequently threatened.

“These people have homes and farmlands here, but they are forced to stay in Sukma town for their safety,” he said.

The families have also alleged that they submitted detailed written complaints to the authorities the day after the March incident.

“The complaints were addressed to multiple authorities. In July 2026, the village Gram Panchayat gave a written notice to the police formally banning Christians from the village and disclaiming responsibility for any violence against those who re-enter. The police received the notice, stamped it and took no action,” Sagar alleged.

Civil society groups examining the matter have described the panchayat’s notice as significant, arguing that it represents an official written document allegedly endorsing religious exclusion.

On 13 July 2026, the Station House Officer of Puspal Police Station officially received, signed and stamped the document, according to the groups.

RSS-Backed Group Accused of Being Behind Campaign

Civil society groups investigating the matter have pointed to a Hindutva organisation named the Janjati Suraksha Manch (JSM), which they describe as being affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

According to information published by the organisation, the Janjati Suraksha Manch is a tribal rights organisation established in May 2006 in Raipur. It is affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram and campaigns on issues concerning the Scheduled Tribe status of tribal people who have converted to religions such as Christianity or Islam.

Its main office is located in New Delhi.

“For several years, the Janjati Suraksha Manch, an RSS-affiliated organisation led by a former BJP legislator, has campaigned across tribal regions of Chhattisgarh, framing Christian conversion as a threat to tribal identity and demanding that Christian Adivasis lose their Scheduled Tribe status,” a statement issued by civil society groups said.

In May 2026, the Janjati Suraksha Manch organised a rally in New Delhi that, according to the organisation, was attended by approximately two lakh tribal participants.

Similar rallies were also reportedly held in different villages.

Following the New Delhi event, JSM representatives met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 May and sought constitutional amendments to remove Scheduled Tribe status from Christian and Muslim Adivasis.

According to the JSM, the Prime Minister assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Yuva Manch, an organisation founded by Narendra Bhawani, a political leader associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has said that it will protest outside the police station if the police fail to take concrete action on the matter soon.

The allegations made by the displaced families, civil society groups and villagers, as well as the precise circumstances surrounding the panchayat’s decision, remain matters requiring independent verification and a response from the police and other concerned authorities.
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_Agency Inputs.