The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in Mumbai on Monday withdrew its order, saying bodies of all coronavirus patients can only be cremat...
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in Mumbai on Monday withdrew its order, saying bodies of all coronavirus patients can only be cremated irrespective of their religion, hours after issuing it, PTI reported. Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik announced on Monday evening on Twitter that the order has been revoked.
Mumbai’s civic body had issued the order on Monday, stating the decision was taken as part of safety measures introduced by the corporation to contain the spread of Covid-19, the communicable disease caused by the novel coronavirus. It said only five people will be allowed to attend the funeral of a patient and advised against practicing any rituals that involve touching the body.
“The existing burial grounds are in highly dense locality with high chances of contamination of dense community or residential areas nearby,” read the order issued by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi.
Under the Epidemic Diseases Act, which has been invoked in Maharashtra, local authorities are empowered to decide on steps, including disposal of bodies, to limit the spread of the disease.
However, after the Maharashtra government’s intervention in the matter, the BMC head revised the circular and said burials will be permitted if there is an availability of a big burial site....
