Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court has upheld the legality of signboards installed in eight villages of Kanker district that restrict the entry of Christian pastors and individuals who have converted to Christianity. The court stated that the move was a preventive step against forced or induced religious conversions, rather than a violation of constitutional rights.

A division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Dutt Guru ruled that the *gram sabhas* (village councils) acted within their powers under the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, which allows local bodies to take measures for the protection of tribal culture and traditions. The judges observed that the boards were installed to safeguard the interests and cultural identity of the local tribal

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