In Haldi Pokhar village of West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, four families faced a social boycott after adopting Christianity. Villagers barred them from accessing the village pond, well, handpump, shops, and collecting firewood and leaves from the forest. Police and revenue officials intervened, resolving the issue through a village meeting.
In Haldi Pokhar village of Jagannathpur block in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, four families encountered a social boycott after adopting Christianity, restricting their access to common water sources, forest produce, and other public facilities.
Three families had converted earlier, but tensions escalated following the recent conversion of additional members from the fourth family. Villagers adhering to the Sarna faith justified the action as a means to safeguard their religion, culture, and traditional belief system, warning that ongoing conversions could harm their forest deity, cultural practices, and social structure.
The issue came to light on Saturday, prompting intervention from police and revenue officials at Kumardungi police station. Officer-in-Charge Ranjit Oraon led a team to the village, convening a meeting with both parties, including the village head (munda) and Circle Officer Mukta Soren.
Oraon stated, “We went to the village ourselves and spoke to everyone. The entire village was called, including the village munda. The Circle Officer was also present. Everyone was clearly informed that social boycott is a punishable offence.” He emphasized that repetition would lead to an FIR being registered. “They were told that the munda represents the entire village, not any particular community. We work according to the Constitution, not for any individual or group,” he added.
Oraon further advised both sides against taking matters into their own hands and to contact police immediately for any issues, noting the remote area's poor phone connectivity.
Circle Officer Mukta Soren affirmed that discrimination on religious grounds is illegal and unconstitutional, with authorities monitoring the situation closely. However, villagers reported that the resolution allowed the converted families to avoid main public facilities but permitted access to a separate well opposite their homes.
The intervention underscores ongoing tensions over religious conversions in tribal areas, highlighting the need for constitutional protections amid cultural conflicts.
