Dignity

Recently in Goa, two bodies were sent back from cremation grounds as they were Covid deaths. Eventually, the cremation was performed at a third place. Some citizens of that town voiced their protest. But Ponda Municipal Council showed better sense in inviting an expert to understand the facts.

Dr Madhu Ghodkirekar, from the forensic department, explained that the last rites done by following settled protocol, carry no risk of contagion. For the next death, there was no opposition. Lawmaker Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco attended the burial to send a strong message to accord dignity to the dead.  

Sadly, it is not a situation peculiar to the present pandemic. There are many who had denied dignity in life as well as death!

Ironically, death does not kill the processes of prejudice. We have no respect for the living. We have no compassion for the dead. The mockery of human rights continues. We attack their dignity with all the weapons at our command. Our weapons are religion, caste and (presently) misinformation.

The ‘right to die with dignity’ is compromised by our bigotry and intolerance. Rightful demand for non-discriminatory cemeteries and burial grounds are ignored. It is based on the division between us and them. But pandemics are great levellers. We cannot ignore that it could be us next!

We must realise that the battle is not between human beings or even between us and the pandemic. The conflict is between humanity and inhumanity… the tussle is between compassion and insensitivity… We must choose the honourable side of dignity for all human beings.

Don’t distance yourself from humanity

Give everyone their deserved dignity!

~ Pravin K Sabnis