Ranjit Parihar
Shameful incidents of denial to cremation of Covid -19 victims bodies in various parts of country has ashamed humanity. Incidents of mobs disrupting the last rites of a Covid-19 victims and forcing their family members to flee with the half-burnt bodies like incidents has bowed down the head of humanity here in Jammu.
Disrespect to corona victim bodies in country is disgusting and a concern for the common man and it shows upto which low level we have lost our moral and human values , The rumours over the coronavirus spreading during the last rites of those who lost their lives to the pandemic are a serious cause of worry.
Those who are condemning the killing of a pregnant elephant in Kerala some weeks ago in Malappuram should also come forward to condemn such incidents also with strong voice in which humans are being denied cremation /burial . You can imagine which unbearable pain family members have got who had been denied cremation and could be justified in no way as human being .
Denial of cremation to Covid 19 victims bodies is a heinous crime as per law also . A Decent burial/cremation is a fundamental right of every citizen of this country guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and it cannot be denied under the garb of protests. We all have to die one day but I hope we don’t get to this low and indulge in such barbaric and inhuman acts. International covenants and laws on rights of the dead. Geneva Convention 1949 : Article 16 of this covenant states, “As far as military consideration allow, each party to the conflict shall facilitate the steps taken to protect the killed – against ill treatments.
In an incident which took place at Jammu few weeks back ashmed humanity when a Mob disrupted the last rites of a Covid-19 victim and forced his family members to flee with the half-burnt body , prompting intervention by the administration which later ensured the cremation at another place as per protocol. A 72-year-old man, hailing from Doda district, victim of coronavirus breathed his last at the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital when authorities took his funeral along with a revenue official and a medical team, and had lit the pyre at a cremation ground in Domana area where a large group of local residents appeared at the scene and disrupted the last rites. The family members had to flee with the half-burnt body in the ambulance to save their skin from the mob which pelted stones and attacked them with sticks. Later, the body was taken to a cremation ground at Bhagwati Nagar area of the city, where it was consigned to flames in the afternoon in presence of senior civil officials under tight security.
In a similar incident which took place earlier last month locals opposed cremation of coronavirus positive 70 years old former special bureau officer at Jogi Gate area saying that it would spread the infection in their area. Later, the body was cremated at Shastri Nagar crematorium. The family of the retired special bureau official had to run from pillar to post for cremating his mortal remains.
A rather gut wrenching incident in a country where just a few weeks ago, people were clapping in their balconies for health care workers and their service. But is it illegal to deny someone his/her last rites? Does a deceased person lose his right by the virtue of being dead? Do deceased persons have rights in India.
In an incident at Chenani a 55-year-old neurologist Simon Hercules, who was the managing director at a hospital in the state capital, had lost his battle with the COVID-19 . The mortal remains were shifted to the Chennai Corporation’s burial ground in the Kilpauk locality, only to be faced by protestors. Despite the lockdown and section 144 in place, over hundered protestors were said to be on site, which forced the burial to another graveyard that too after the intervention of the Madras High Court when a PIL was filled in court .
Doctor who dedicated his life to the service of humanity and that he wouldn’t have contracted the virus, if he had chosen to stray away from treating patients.“Is this the price he has paid ? How will doctors feel safe? If We could not save him, but we could have at least given him a proper burial.
In another sad incident the cremation of Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa, a Padma Shri awardee who died of COVID-19 in April this year was delayed as residents of his native town in Punjab feared it would spread the deadly coronavirus in the locality.
People opposed his cremation out of fear that it could result in an outbreak of COVID-19 in the area. Later with intervention of district administration cremation took place in the evening .
In Meghalaya, authorities, including crematorium officials, denied permission to bury Dr John L. Sailo Ryntathiang, director of Bethany Hospital in Shillong. He was finally buried a day later, with the incident prompting the Meghalaya High Court to issue a late night order saying strict action would be taken against those who obstruct funeral proceedings.
India is a country that gave proper burial to Pakistani soldiers and infiltrators who died in the Kargil War. It’s a country where even Mumbai attack terrorist Ajmal Kasab got his last rites after hanging. But today, that empathy for a person’s final journey and dignity is lost in the corona virus pandemic which has ashmed humanity .
As per as per the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization and Union ministry of health and family welfare there is no need to panic as cremation of a coronavirus victim does not pose any threat to health.
After the Sensitising the public, crematorium and burial ground staff, the cremation of Covid-19 victim has no adverse effects if proper protocols are adhered to. As per guidelines crematorium and burial ground staff need to ensure hand hygiene, use of masks and gloves. Besides , the viewing of the dead body by unzipping the face-end of the body bag (by the staff) may be allowed for the relatives to see the body for one last time. As per health guidelines bathing, kissing, hugging of the deceased’s body is not allowed and the funeral/ burial staff and family members should perform hand hygiene after cremation/ burial.
Despite the clear guidelines issued by World Health Organization and Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) with regard to the dead body management of the COVID-19 patient and clarification that infection unlikely to spread from dead body of Corona patients, the Government o has miserably failed to disseminate such information among the general public. Government should create awareness among the general public with regard to the guidelines on dead body management of COVID-19 so that fear psychosis prevailing among the general public with regard to the cremation/burial of the dead bodies of the Corona patient be removed.
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