‘Green last rites’ will need seers’ nod: Uma

LUCKNOW: It may take time coming but if saints agree, Hindu last rites could gradually be in for a green makeover.

That’s because the newly set up union water resources ministry, under Uma Bharti, which has been tasked with Ganga cleanliness mission, has received ‘go-green’ proposals from the industry, suggesting technological intervention to reduce wood and waste in the cremation process.

Most Hindu burial grounds are situated on riverbanks, with those situated in religious cities of Varanasi and Haridwar being in great demand for their being on the banks of the Ganga, which Hindus consider most holy.

Those who can’t afford to take the body to Ganga banks settle for local rivers. In Lucknow, the Bhainsakund cremation ground on the banks of the Gomti is greatly preferred.

However, half-burnt wooden logs and charred remains of body parts often make their way into the river. With increasing focus on river cleanliness, the demand for eco-friendly cremation has be gun. T hough cow- dung funeral pyres have been spotted in Lucknow, these remain individual efforts as green last rites still await seer sanction.

“I have seen such cremations in Lucknow and this only goes to prove that slowly realisation is spreading about the need to keep the rivers clean. The cow-dung pyre actually helps the body break down into bone fragments more successfully,” says VK Joshi, a Lucknow-based environmentalist.

The union water resources minister, described by BJP veteran Lalji Tandon as ‘Ganga putri’ or daughter of the Ganga,

THERE IS LOT OF NEEDLESS SPECULATION BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT NO DECISION WILL BE TAKEN WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE SAINTS.

UMA BHARTI, Union minister

however, doesn’t want to rush on ‘green last rites’ issue. “There is lot of needless speculation but I want to make it clear that we don’t plan to tinker with religious beliefs and practices. No decision will be taken without the approval of the saints,” she said in Lucknow. Her aides point out that the sadhvi isn’t a great votary of electric crematorium either. “But if seers agree various other river-friendly measures, which won’t hinder with last rites practices steeped in tradition, could be considered.

Such green cremation needs less wood and consumes less time too,” they say. Joshi agrees with sadhvi on the need to build consensus among all stakeholders. “It’s true that despite green cremation being a wellintentioned move, and I dare say much-required too, you do need to take religious feelings into account. So it’s important to build up a consensus on the subject,” he says.