Catholics do not allow Pentecost Christian bodies in RC Burial Ground

HC settles dispute in burying dead bodies of Pentecost Christians

L Saravanan| TNN | Jul 3, 2015







MADURAI: The Madras high court Madurai bench has passed orders settling a dispute in burying dead bodies of Pentecostal Christians in A Vellod village of Dindigul district.



The dead bodies were buried on the Pommachi Kanmai (water tank) in the Village. Against it, one P Joseph Raj of the locality filed a public interest litigation stating that burial of bodies would contaminate the water body and cause communicable diseases. He wanted the court's intervention restraining the district collector and revenue officials from allowing the burial in the water body. He also wanted a direction to exhume two dead bodies, which were buried in January and May, which was however, rejected.






When the matter came up for hearing before the division bench comprising justices S Manikumar and G Chockalingam, it was suspected that there was a dispute between two groups. After perusing the records, the court expressed displeasure over the issue.




"We find that there are many burial grounds for Hindus, Christian nadars (Roman Catholic), Vokkaliga gowders, Hindu pallars, etc. We express our displeasure on the attitude of the villagers, who have separate burial grounds, depending upon their castes. Even for a decent burial, one has to fight for a place, officials have to visit the place, a peace committee has to be conducted and ultimately to litigate. During lifetime, people fight for rights, custom, personal or property, etc." justice Manikumar said.






The court is pained to see that even after death, the fight continues for burial. Religious belief and customs may vary in the matter of disposal of dead bodies. The place of burial is visited by family members and friends as a mark of respect and to pay tributes, the judge said.




In the metropolis, even the place is not available. Burial grounds are converted into electric crematoriums. Perhaps in the village as plenty of space is available, each section of the society has a separate burial ground, the judge said.