Headline
The Supreme Court of India reserves order on the burial rights plea of Christian tribal in Chhattisgarh.
Summary
The Supreme Court of India reserved its order on a plea by Ramesh Baghel challenging the High Court of Chhattisgarh for the refusal to permit the burial of his Christian pastor father in the Chhindwara village graveyard. The petitioner argued that this violated his burial traditions rights, while the State stated the concern of public order.
Key Facts
- Case Name: Ramesh Baghel v. State of Chhattisgarh and Ors.,
- Judges Name: Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.
- The petitioner, a Christian tribal, asked for burial in his ancestral village, where his relatives were earlier buried.
- The State said that burial should be done in a designated graveyard 20 km away.
- The Supreme Court of India stressed on the importance of the right to decent burial and condemned the delay in resolving the matter.
Legal Insights
- The case raises issues under Article 21 (dignity in death) and Article 25 (freedom of religion) of the Indian Constitution
- Justice Nagarathna questioned the objections to burial in the village and the exclusion of converted individuals.
Impact
The judgment of the Supreme Court could set a precedent on burial rights, balancing individual dignity with public order issues.
Why It Matters
This case shows the tensions between religious freedom, communal harmony, and tribal customs, stressing the requirement for constitutional protection against discrimination.
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