New Delhi, 27 February (H.S.):

Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling upholding Chhattisgarh High Court's validation of boards erected by tribal gram sabhas restricting Christian missionary entry in tribal areas to curb conversions via inducement or fraud.

On February 16, the apex court affirmed PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act) grants gram sabhas full authority to safeguard social-cultural traditions, deeming such measures constitutional and recognizing them as genuine self-governance units with special protections.

Chhattisgarh Deputy CM and Panchayat Minister Vijay Sharma hailed the decision as affirming constitutional ethos and tribal preservation; government pledges stricter PESA enforcement to preserve indigenous heritage.

Ashram President Satyendra Singh praised state efforts, urging all 10 PESA states to enact robust rules aligning with SC directives, ensuring tribal communities protect ancestral customs and worship practices.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar