NRI knocks on Centre's door for cremation rights in UK

NRI knocks on Centre's door for cremation rights in UK

How a person dies may not be in his hand but how his last rites are performed can be a matter of personal choice. Fighting for this right for Hindus and Sikhs — to be able to choose cremation in open air, in accordance with religious beliefs — Devendra Ghai, a 71-year-old Non Resident Indian , fought in the UK courts for four years. And won.

He is now in India to press the Ministry of Social Justice and the Ministry of Environment give a no-clearance certificate so that the order can be implemented in Britain.

It all began in 2006, when the British police found the body of an Indian who had drowned. They found Ghai's business card on the body and contacted him.

Ghai, who did not know the person, decided to cremate him in accordance with the Hindu rites since the deceased's family could not come to UK. That was also when he realised that open pyres have been banned in Britain since 1902.

"In UK, all last rites are completed at a chapel where the Hindu bodies are placed in an electrical crematorium. At times, 3-4 bodies are placed in a single crematorium and burnt together. In such a case, the ashes get mixed. That, I thought, was unjust because Muslims and Jews are allowed to have their own burial site," Ghai said.

He then moved the courts of Britain. In February this year, after a four-year struggle, Ghai won the case. As per the order, a separate area in chapels can now be reserved for Hindus and Sikhs where the bodies can be cremated on open pyres.

Along with the monumental victory came the reality of existence, court cases require money and now Ghai, who has suffered two heart attacks, is in debt of Rs 27 lakh. His legal battle cost him Rs 63 lakh; he is now looking at the cost of getting the order implemented.

The British court has passed the order but according to its law, the no-clearance certificates by the Indian government are required before the order can be implemented.

As elections in Britain are going to happen soon, the ministries, Ghai said, are dilly-dallying with the orders. "Even after the court passed its order, the authorities are not taking it seriously. Once I am dead, there is no one to champion the cause."

Ghai is now meeting political leaders in India to ensure implementation of the verdict. He found a willing ear in Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijay Jolly, who held a press meet on Thursday to highlight the issue.

In his address, Jolly said he will take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and also request the Indian Embassy in UK to help.