Overview
- A division bench on October 28 disposed of a petition against hoardings in at least eight Kanker villages, leaving the signs in place.
- Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru said the displays appear to be precautionary steps to protect indigenous tribes and cultural heritage.
- Petitioner Digbal Tandi alleged misuse of PESA and claimed official encouragement under the slogan “Hamari Parampara Hamari Virasat” to ostracize Christians and their pastors.
- Additional Advocate General Y S Thakur argued gram sabhas acted within PESA to deter illegal conversions by outside pastors and referenced a 2023 law-and-order flare-up in Narayanpur.
- The court wrote that voluntary conversion is a legitimate exercise of conscience but inducement is a social menace, and it noted the petitioner had not used available statutory remedies.