Row Over Civic Body Operating ‘Brahmins Only’ Crematorium In Odisha’s Kendrapada

Kendrapada: A civic body in Odisha has come under attack for operating a crematorium in which only bodies of Brahmins are cremated.

The 155-year-old Kendrapada Municipality, considered the oldest civic body in the state, has even put up a ‘Brahmin crematorium’ signage at the entrance of the burning ghat at Hazaribagicha locality in the town, triggering a row.

Local sources said that although the crematorium was used for performing the last rites of Brahmins for a long time, the official signage was recently put up after the renovation of the facility with government grants.

People belonging to other castes cremate their kin at another nearby crematorium, which was also renovated in the recent haul-up, they said.

“Yes, the issue has come to our notice and we are looking into it. Steps will be taken to set right the alleged caste discrimination,” Prafulla Chandra Biswal, Executive Officer of Kendrapada Municipality, was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

The matter has drawn flak from Dalit rights activists and political leaders.

Nagendra Jena, district unit president of Odisha Dalit Samaj, “I was shocked to know that the municipality has been maintaining a crematorium only for Brahmins for a long time. By doing so, the government body is breaking the law and promoting caste discrimination. This practice should be put to an end at the earliest.”

CPI(M) district unit secretary Gayadhar Dhal said it is illegal for a civic body to run a crematorium only for Brahmins.

People from other castes should also have the right to perform the last rites of their dear ones at the cremation ground, he said.