HC settles dispute in burying dead bodies of Pentecost Christians

MADURAI: The Madras high court Madurai bench has passed orders settling a dispute in burying dead bodies of Pentecostal Christians in A Vellod village of Dindigul district.
The dead bodies were buried on the Pommachi Kanmai (water tank) in the Village. Against it, one P Joseph Raj of the locality filed a public interest litigation stating that burial of bodies would contaminate the water body and cause communicable diseases.He wanted the court’s intervention restraining the district collector and revenue officials from allowing the burial in the water body. He also wanted a direction to exhume two dead bodies, which were buried in January and May, which was however, rejected.
When the matter came up for hearing before the division bench comprising justices S Manikumar and G Chockalingam, it was suspected that there was a dispute between two groups. After perusing the records, the court expressed displeasure over the issue.
“We find that there are many burial grounds for Hindus, Christian nadars (Roman Catholic), Vokkaliga gowders, Hindu pallars, etc. We express our displeasure on the attitude of the villagers, who have separate burial grounds, depending upon their castes. Even for a decent burial, one has to fight for a place, officials have to visit the place, a peace committee has to be conducted and ultimately to litigate. During lifetime, people fight for rights, custom, personal or property, etc.” justice Manikumar said.
The court is pained to see that even after death, the fight continues for burial. Religious belief and customs may vary in the matter of disposal of dead bodies. The place of burial is visited by family members and friends as a mark of respect and to pay tributes, the judge said.
In the metropolis, even the place is not available. Burial grounds are converted into electric crematoriums. Perhaps in the village as plenty of space is available, each section of the society has a separate burial ground, the judge said.
“Society is infected with deadly viruses like casteism, communalism and so on and so forth. Viruses have found a permanent place in mind. This is a classic case as to how people fight even for burial of dead bodies. We only pray that our religious heads to address the mass, equality, fraternity and brotherhood,” the judge said.
Meanwhile, the revenue divisional officer, Dindigul submitted a report suggesting alternate site.
The judge said considering the difficulty in burying the dead bodies, the Pentecost faction may be allowed to bury the dead bodies in another place till a permanent solution is arrived at, in Sirunayakanpatti village in the light of what the court had discussed.
“We make it clear that, till such time, members belonging to other factions should not make any objections. Keeping in mind what the Constitution of India seeks to achieve and the court’s discussion, the district administration is directed to take up the issue and accordingly decide,” the judge said.