Denial of Burial: Catholic Man’s Body Obstructed for Three Days in Odisha Village

Hatigarh, Odisha, 9 January 2026: A disturbing incident unfolded in Rangamatia village under Raibania Police Station, within Hatigarh Parish of the Balasore Diocese, where villagers prevented the burial of a Catholic man for nearly three days.

Chhuta Hansda (90) died at around 11:00 p.m. on 7 January 2026, his grandson Sanatan Hansda (24) said. Following his death, the family prepared to bury him on their own village land according to Catholic rites. Chhuta Hansda was a Catholic, and his only son, Bhima Hansda, is also a Christian.

Objections arose from Chhuta Hansda’s brother’s son, Bharat Hansda, who follows Hindu traditions. Bharat Hansda, along with members of the Majhipalagan group who practise the Sarna tribal religion, opposed the burial and demanded that it should not take place in the village. They insisted that, if conducted, the burial must follow Sarna tribal customs. Villagers reportedly blocked the removal of the body unless these conditions were accepted.

As a result, the family kept the body inside the cooking shed (chulha shala) of the house for three days.

On the morning of 8 January, around 10:00 a.m., local authorities—including the Sub-Inspector (SI), Revenue Inspector (RI), and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO)—arrived at the village, according to Binod Hansda, Secretary of the Hatigarh Parish Council. However, the visit did not lead to any resolution. The SDPO reportedly asked parish council members to return to their village, leaving the situation unresolved.

After nearly three days of distress and uncertainty, the police administration forcibly removed the body from the house on 9 January at around 2:00 p.m. and buried Chhuta Hansda approximately five kilometres away from the village on common land, Sanatan Hansda said.

This incident marks the third reported case of burial denial in Rangamatia village. Villagers denied burial to Budhia Murmu in 2024, followed by Shiban Soren in 2025.

The family now fears further obstruction and has expressed concern over whether villagers will allow Catholic prayer services and post-burial rituals to take place. In previous cases, villagers reportedly blocked such prayer services.

Denial of Burial: Catholic Man’s Body Obstructed for Three Days in Odisha Village

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