Hyderabad: No peace for dead as resting place denied

Hyderabad: The 'Rest in Peace' expression for the dear departed has lost its meaning as the ground reality has changed drastically with the management of graveyards denying permission to bury the bodies of those who succumbed to coronavirus. Also, the government norms have put restrictions on conducting proper final rites for Corona victims.

In the last few months, this issue has been raised after several incidents and recently a Muslim man was buried in a cemetery as a Mutawalli denied request for burial place in the graveyard. Following such incidents, the Muslim organisation All India Sufi Ulama Council (AISUC) has come forward to help the community by offering to facilitate last rites and even space for burial across the state.

"It has been over more than two years since the current Telangana State Wakf Board Chairman Mohammed Saleem cautioned graveyards and Dargah Mutawallies not to collect any amount to provide space for any burial in any graveyard. Recently, he also announced to provide Rs 5,000 for burials, but the initiative is yet to come into effect," deplored AISUC president Sufi Syed Shah Mohammed Khairuddin Quadri.

Quadri further said, "During this pandemic, several incidents related to burials came to light and our organisation has decided to conduct last rites for free, provide clothes to wrap bodies, besides arranging for full body ablution and grave space at Jiyaguda graveyard." AISUC will help people struggling to get space for burial of their dear ones in graveyards. It will take legal action against Mutawallies and demand suspension of committee for denying burial space in graveyards, Quadri said, adding that, "Among all states, Telangana has the largest number of Wakf properties, but it is not benefiting the community."