Hindu community faces lack of cremation grounds

The Hindu community residing across various cities in Punjab finds itself grappling with a significant hurdle: the lack of proper cremation grounds.’

This absence not only hampers their ability to carry out the final rituals for their departed family members but also underscores the on-going challenges faced by the minority group.

A distressing video, shot in the Zafarwal area of Narowal Tehsil, starkly showcases this issue, capturing members of the Hindu community laboriously gathering firewood to conduct the last rites for a deceased relative.

The recent passing of Bansi Lal Arya, elder brother of former Member District Council Narowal Ratan Lal Arya of the Pak Dharamsthan Committee, further accentuated the gravity of the situation.’

Despite his brother's demise three days prior, the final rites could only be performed on a Friday due to the scarcity of suitable facilities. Shedding light on the historical context, Ratan Lal Arya recounted that back in 1976, a one-kanal area was designated as a cremation ground, locally known as "Mardhian," for the Hindu community in Nagar Sudha, his area.

However, the site's accessibility is hampered by a rugged trail, making the journey arduous.

In an effort to address these challenges, applications have been submitted to various governing bodies, including the Finance Department, Evacuee Trust Property Board, Ministry of Religious and Minority Affairs, and Ministry of Human Rights.

These petitions urgently call for the construction of a road leading to the cremation ground, along with the establishment of protective walls and a proper platform at the crematorium. Sadly, no response or acknowledgment has been received to date, leaving the community in a state of limbo.

Highlighting their current coping mechanisms, Ratan Lal Arya revealed that, in lieu of a designated cremation ground, the Hindu community often disperses the ashes of their loved ones near Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, following the religious prayer ceremony at Head Marala. A few individuals even retain the ashes, hoping for the opportunity to travel to India to perform the traditional immersion ritual in the sacred River Ganges.

It is worth noting that Lahore has established separate cremation facilities for both the Sikh and Hindu communities. However, statistics reveal a stark reality: over the past decade, the Hindu cremation site has witnessed only two funeral pyres being utilized, while none have been used at the Sikh cremation ground.

Consequently, the Sikh community in Lahore often resorts to shifting their deceased loved ones to Nankana Sahib or Kartarpur Sahib for their final rites.

This on-going predicament underscores the pressing need for attention and intervention to ensure that the Hindu community can observe their sacred rites with dignity and respect.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2023.