Mandate of Article 21 of the Constitution - Facilities at Crematoriums

We the undersigned are the super senior citizens representing all walks, professions and sections beg to plead as follows :

1. Crematoriums everywhere, notwithstanding religion play a very important heart wrenching role in the lives of all sections society be it male or female, young or old, rich or poor, healthy or sick, particularly during major accidents or calamities.
2. Although most of us particularly in the age group of 50 plus frequent the crematorium for different reasons on all the seasons, be it summer, rainy or winter not only observed but also suffered the absence of basic facilities.
3. The electrical crematorium is designed in such a way where only two burners/furnaces in a hall are provided while two adjacent small halls to facilitate the last rites while conditions of firewood cremation is pathetic. Outside the building but within the campus a small wash room is provided with strewn flower petals wreath garland other personal belongings of the dead body would render the otherwise a serene place a dreaded and forsaken.
4. It is a common sight that the dead bodies are laid on a wet floor with traces of the leftovers of the previous. The last rites on the mortal remains will be undertaken by the bereaved family, relatives and friends under unpleasant, unhygienic and nauseating if not pathetic conditions, the harsh reality is that conducting proper rituals of last rites would take at least an hour. In other words the immediate relatives and others who take part in the last rites require necessary very basic facilities at the crematorium / grave yard. The absence of the basic facilities are often felt and suffered.
5. The bereaved family would collect the ashes of the mortal remains in the small pots on the next day to be immersed (Asthi Visarjana / Nirva Panjali) in sacred rivers of the country depending upon their status and affordability.
6. We, the undersigned felt that every citizen of this country is entitled to dignity and respect whether alive or dead (vide Article 21 of the Constitution). This memorandum not only for the dead but also for those who loved and respected them when alive. We request you to enable us to provide / accommodate the following :-
a) 20 chairs in each hall of the crematorium to facilitate the bereaved to witness the last rites;
b) A small dias 6 x 4 of 6” height to place the mortal remains for the last rites with couple of small wooden stools, if required;
c) Gas / electric geyser for quick shower;
d) Quick collection and disposal of strewn wreaths, garlands, flower petals and the like personal belongings of the mortal remains;
e) Maintenance of a garden with appropriate plants and trees with walking track;
f) Maintenance of it can be made over to willing corporate bodies like Pharma companies and hospitals whose direct or indirect role before mortal remains reached the final destination since more likely as such morally bound to maintain the serenity. If need be integrate with Horticultural/Muzrai department or established religious institutions like TTD / ISCKON and the like to co-ordinate;
g) Scientific collection of ashes with in-house water body specifically created by bringing water from different sacred rivers by creating artificial motorized canal which eventually ensure prevention of pollution at related river beds and unnecessary travel and expense.
7. The undersigned are willing to contribute the chairs, wooden dias, stools and geysers and also water body with ongoing continuous water circulation to facilitate Nirvapanjali/immersion of ashes apart from supply of plants. We hope that the appropriate serenity would ensure the grief sticken bereaved to perform their last rites.
Pray for immediate action.

C V Sudhindra - Advocate, Karnataka High Court    Contact the author of the petition