Jharkhand village imposes social boycott on 4 families after Christian conversion
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Four families in Jharkhand's Haldi Pokhar village faced social boycott after converting to Christianity, with villagers barring them from the pond, well, handpump, shops, and forest resources for firewood and leaves.
Police and revenue officials intervened on Saturday after the issue surfaced. Kumardungi Station Officer-in-Charge Ranjit Oraon led a village meeting with the Circle Officer, warning that social boycott is punishable and warning of FIRs for repetition. The munda (village head) was reminded to represent all villagers equally, not just one community.
Villagers following the Sarna faith defended the action to protect their religion, culture, forest deity, and social structure amid ongoing conversions—three families earlier, a fourth recently.
Oraon noted the remote area's poor network connectivity and urged both sides to report issues to police immediately rather than acting independently. Circle Officer Mukta Soren affirmed that religious discrimination is illegal and unconstitutional, with monitoring ongoing.
Villagers claimed a compromise allows converted families water from a separate well opposite their homes but restricts main public facilities.