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There is often discussion and debate about casteism in the country. Recently, when caste census was conducted in Bihar, there was a lot of uproar. Not only this, state governments are also accused of giving importance to certain castes. At present, a case of casteism has gained momentum in Odisha. Actually, there is a cremation ground in Kendrapara district. Only Brahmins are cremated in this cremation ground. This system is not just from today but has been going on for 95 years. Let us know in detail how this whole matter came into limelight?
According to the report of Times of India, caste inequality is very high in Kendrapara district of Odisha. Since the independence of the country, there has never been any conflict between the different castes living in the district. Everyone looked at each other with inferiority complex. This was the reason that even after death, dead bodies were cremated on the basis of caste. Even separate cremation grounds were made for them. Hazaribaghi crematorium in Kendrapara city has the right to cremate the bodies of only Brahmins. The surprising thing is that ‘Brahmin Crematorium’ has been operating since 1928.
What did the leaders of Dalit community say?
This information also came to light when a signboard was recently pasted on the main entrance of the cremation ground by the 154-year-old municipal body. Odisha Dalit Samaj District Unit President Nagendra Jena said that we sent a letter to the government regarding this. I was surprised to know that the civic body has been maintaining a cremation ground only for Brahmins for a long time. When we came to know about this, we recently requested the administration to allow the cremation of all Hindus in this cremation ground, but the authorities did not pay heed to our pleas.
Municipal body should be investigated- CPM
Meanwhile, CPM district unit president Gayadhar Dhal said that it is wrong to operate a cremation ground only for Brahmins in Kendrapara city. The municipal body should investigate this. When the matter came into limelight, Kendrapara Municipality Executive Officer Prafulla Chandra Biswal said that the municipal body has been running the ‘Brahmin cremation ground’ since 1928. We have received a letter from the Dalit community, in which they have asked to allow the last rites of all Hindus. Soon we will hold a meeting on this and take a decision.
These rules violate fundamental rights – Advocate
Advocate Pradeep Gochayat, living in Kendrapada city, said that the Dalit community in this city has to face various types of discrimination even in some temples. They are not even allowed to enter. Now caste discrimination is being seen even in funerals. The civic body even stopped the cremation of bodies of non-Brahmins because this cremation ground is only for Brahmins. This rule violates the fundamental rights of people of all castes guaranteed under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of our Constitution.
However, Basant Panda, a local resident, said that 95 years ago in 1928, this cremation ground was built by the municipal body only for Brahmins. People of other castes cremate the dead bodies at another cremation ground nearby. Some people have raised this issue with some wrong motive. They should not do this.
