Chhattisgarh Court Upholds Village Hoardings Barring Entry to Pastors

The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that hoardings installed in eight tribal villages prohibiting the entry of pastors and 'converted Christians' are not unconstitutional. Disposing of petitions seeking their removal, the court observed the hoardings were a precautionary measure by gram sabhas to prevent forced religious conversions through allurement or fraud. The court held that such measures are permissible under the PESA Act to protect indigenous tribal culture and heritage, and do not violate the constitutional freedom of religion.