April 10: The age old spiritual ceremony of open air funeral, observed by Hindu community, may get through in UK, after a high court judge approved a judicial review on an earlier ban. The Anglo Asian Friendship Society AAFS, headed by Devendra Kumar Ghai, for a long time has been eyeing on it and have worked hard to legalize it. Until now no date has been issued for the judicial review.
There are more than 5.5 lac Hindus in UK and is the third highest community there. Hindus in Britain have every right to perform their rituals. British local authorities don’t allow open air cremation on the ground that it would breach cremation laws.
Ghai came into the news when he arranged a wooden pyre for an Indian, at a secret location. After investigation the British authority declared it as illegal, according to 1902 Cremation Act.
Considering the sentiments of this popular community, Justice Collins said that there is nothing unlawful in burning dead bodies in an open pyre. Nowadays all cremations are carried out in electrical crematoriums. Again as long as it does not hurt public interest and create any kind of public nuance, it should be permitted.
According to Hindu religion, there is reincarnation of soul after death and it is necessary to complete all post rituals. Therefore, it is a birth right of every Hindus to be cremated on a wooden pyre.
The court now has to look into many of the aspects, including the right of Hindus to respect their religious beliefs, cross cultural sensibilities and environmental issues. As far as environmental values are concerned using wooden pyre is a more natural means of disposal and environment friendly as the current means emits more mercury into the atmosphere.
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