New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to State governments and Union Territories over matters related to cremation and undignified treatment of unclaimed dead bodies.
The Commission sought responses from the authorities within six weeks to know the extent they can ensure dignity for the dead by formulating policy, if possible at their end or by way of administrative orders and strict implementation thereof by empowering various local authorities, NHRC said in a statement.
NHRC took suo motu cognizance of the issues related to the cremation and undignified treatment of unclaimed dead bodies as raised by Jitendra Singh Shunty, a member of its Core Group of Human Rights Defenders, and for over 27 years has been involved in the free cremation of unclaimed dead bodies and related services, the statement said.
The report must contain as to whether the States/UTs have taken steps about disseminating information, raising awareness, sensitization, and training the staff dealing with the dead bodies in the humanitarian aspect with a view to tackling the situation of unclaimed dead bodies. The report also must specify steps that are taken or proposed to be taken regarding the issuance of directives to the private hospitals for not withholding the dead bodies for non-payment of medical bills by the family members of the deceased, it added.
The Commission has annexed with the notices its Advisory on the “Right to Dignity of Dead” issued during the Covid -19 Pandemic to the authorities.
Issuing the notices, the Commission observed that it is axiomatic that the Right to Dignity and Fair Treatment, under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, is not only available to the living man but also to his dead body. Civilization, over the years, coupled with religion, tradition, and cultural practices have influenced the manner in which the dead bodies are being managed, both in times of war and peace.
UNI
