Bhagalpur residents write against ‘extortion’ at cremation ghats

BHAGALPUR: Some of the residents have lodged a complaint with the DM, SSP, Bhagalpur municipal commissioner and Sadar SDO against the pathetic condition of cremation ghats and high cost of performing last rites of those dying in the town.
In a symbolic letter addressed to ‘Yamraj’ and a copy of it sent to the officials, they requested the god of death to keep the ‘death warrants’ postponed due to high cost of cremation as the ‘Dom Rajas’ were also charging exorbitantly for performing the rituals at Bararai and other ghats.They also alleged lack of even drinking water facility at the ghats.
They have highlighted the pathetic condition of electric crematoriums on the bank of river Ganga and demanded proper arrangements of light, water, safe embankments and security for performing hassle-free last rites rituals.
Social activists Kamal Jaiswal, Anand Kumar Mishra, Vinay Kumar Sinha and Abhay Kumar Ghosh, in the letter, alleged that the families of deceased persons face forced demand of huge amount up to Rs 30,000 by the keepers at ghats. “The families are even insulted if they refuse to pay the amount,” Jaiswal alleged.
“We have also drawn the attention of DM, SSP, municipal commissioner and Sadar SDO towards the pathetic condition of cremation ghats as well as the extortion from family members of the deceased by the keepers,” he said.
According to sources, Rs 3,000 is provided by the state government as a one-time grant under Kabir Anteyeshti Anudan Yojana to a BPL family to perform the last rites of a family member. But the social activists claimed that hefty demands by people managing the ghats are demanded to make arrangements.
Accordingly, they have “written to Yamraj” that they don’t want to die as their families will have to face financial burden.
Senior lawyer Rajesh Chandra Jha said the judiciary in many cases have interpreted that the right to have a decent burial is part of Article 21 of the Constitution. “It is a very sensitive and emotional issue that needs to be addressed,” he said.