The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a stern stance on a critical civic issue, directing the local Zilla Parishad to submit its reply by next Monday, December 22. This order came after the court was informed that a staggering 204 villages within Nagpur district are operating without any crematorium facilities.
Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Public Grievance
The court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that highlights the severe lack of basic amenities for performing last rites. To assist in the matter, the bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas has appointed Yash Vyankatraman as the amicus curiae. The petition details that the 204 affected villages are spread across 13 talukas in the district.
Alarming Ground Reality and Official Admission
During the hearing on Wednesday, the counsel for the Zilla Parishad presented an even more concerning picture. He orally informed the High Court that among these 204 villages, there are 30 villages where no land is currently available for the construction of such essential facilities. This admission underscores a significant infrastructural and planning deficit.
The absence of designated crematoriums has forced residents into a distressing predicament. Villagers have no choice but to conduct funeral pyres in open spaces, on the banks of rivers, or on plateaus. This practice not only causes emotional distress to grieving families but also leads to unhygienic and degrading conditions in the surrounding environment.
Implications and the Path Forward
The court's intervention brings a ray of hope for the residents of these villages. The issue, now formally admitted and under judicial scrutiny, pressures the local administration to find a concrete solution. The reply sought by December 22 is expected to outline the Zilla Parishad's plan and timeline for addressing this grave shortfall in civic infrastructure.
The case puts the spotlight on the fundamental right of citizens to dignity even in death and the responsibility of civic bodies to provide necessary basic amenities. The next hearing, after the submission of the reply, will be crucial in determining the course of action to resolve this long-pending issue for hundreds of villages in the Nagpur district.
