Abstract
In the dynamic landscape of pluralistic societies like India, where diverse religions and varying religious-cultural practices span across different regions, rites and rituals play a vital role in human civilization as expressions of cultural, religious, and social traditions. However, the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic transcended religious and cultural boundaries, affecting individuals and families from diverse backgrounds, necessitating the adoption of specific positions to foster a scientific temperament. Despite this context, the recent COVID-19 pandemic in India witnessed the dishonoring of last rites for COVID-19 victims by the healthcare as well as administrative system, sparking profound questions about the treatment of the deceased and the collective conscience of humanity. Instances of dead bodies found floating in rivers highlighted the failure to provide minimum dignity to the departed. The Supreme Court emphasized the government’s responsibility to ensure proper last rites according to respective religions, yet recurrent failures have been evident. In this article, we explore the ethical, moral, and practical dimensions surrounding the violation of last rites during India’s deadly second wave of the pandemic in 2021, reflecting on the balance between public health considerations and respecting religious and cultural practices that bring solace and closure to bereaved families. This prompts the authors to reflect on the need for proactive measures, increased coordination, and resource allocation during crises. Addressing last rites violations requires both government and public involvement, and the proposed strategies for collaboration include guidelines for safe and respectful rituals during crises, awareness campaigns, and partnerships between religious and scientific communities. By engaging stakeholders and fostering dialogue, a framework that upholds the dignity of the deceased while safeguarding public health can be established. Additionally, this article delves into the health implications and ecological concerns linked to the improper disposal of dead bodies, which pose serious risks and contaminate water sources, endangering public health. Through a comprehensive analysis, this work sheds light on the violation of last rites during the COVID-19 pandemic in India, contributing to the ongoing discourse on maintaining dignity during crises, enhancing pandemic preparedness, and navigating public health challenges.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al Dahdah, M., Ferry, M., Guérin, I., & Venkatasubramanian, G. (2020). The Covid-19 crisis in India. Retrieved November 30, 2023, from https://laviedesidees.fr/The-Covid-19-Crisis-in-India
Anand, N., & Allansdottir, D. H. K. (2021). River of life, river of death: The curious case of the Ganges cadavers and its implications on international law. JURIST. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4029427
Bahadur, P. (2020). Rituals and beliefs surrounding death in Islam. Journal of Adventist Mission Studies, 16(1), 173–192. https://doi.org/10.32597/jams/vol16/iss1/13/
Balajee, A., Tomar, S., & Udupa, G. (2020). Fiscal situation of India in the time of COVID-19. Indian School of Business. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3571103. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3571103
Banerjee, N., & Mukhopadhyay, S. (2016). Viral glycoproteins: Biological role and application in diagnosis. Virusdisease, 27(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13337-015-0293-5
Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford University Press. https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Principles-of-Biomedical-Ethics-by-Tom-L-Beauchamp-James-F-Childress/9780190640873
Bhattachayya, R., Banerjee, S., Mohammed, S., & Baladandayuthapani, V. (2021). Network-based modeling of COVID-19 dynamics: Early pandemic spread in India. medRxiv. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.16.21253772v1.full-text
Biswas, B., Roy, R., Roy, T., Chowdhury, S., Dhara, A., & Mistry, K. (2022). Geographical Appraisal of COVID-19 in West Bengal, India. GeoJournal, 87(4), 2641–2662. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10388-4. Epub 2021 Feb 22. PMID: 33642665; PMCID: PMC7899073.
Bolton, S., & Jarvis, C. (2021). They went to sea in a SIEV, they did: A new framework of rights for missing and deceased migrants and their bereaved families proposed by the Last Rights Project. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://irr.org.uk/article/the-rights-of-migrant-dead-and-their-families-a-declaration-of-intent/
Brazal, D. A. M. (2021). The last rites in a time of pandemic. Journal of Public Health, 43(3), e549–e550. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdab153
Case: P.I.L. CIVIL No. 16150 of 2020 Petitioner: Suo-Moto Inre: Right To Decent & Dignified Last Rites/Cremation Respondent: State Of U.P. Thru Additional Chief Secretary,Home And Ors. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://www.livelaw.in/pdf_upload/pdf_upload-382788.pdf
Chaudhry, S. (2011). Effectiveness of Directive Principles of State Policy. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1758849
Chhetri, A. (2021). Dead man can not wail for justice, it is the responsibility of living soul to do so for them. International Journal of Legal Medicine and Healthcare, 4(3), 2572–2575. https://doi.org/10.10000/IJLMH.11768
Common Cause (A Regd. Society) vs Union Of India. (9 March 2018). Supreme Court of India. Writ Petition (Civil) No. 215 of 2005. https://indiankanoon.org/doc/184449972/
Cumper, P., & Lewis, T. (May 2010). Last rites and human rights: Funeral pyres and religious freedom in the United Kingdom. Ecclesiastical Law Journal, 12(2), 131–151. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0956618X10000025
Garces-Foley, K. (2006). Death and religion in a changing world. ME Sharpe. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781315705262/death-religion-changing-world-kathleen-garces-foley
Garces-Foley, K. (Ed.). (2022). Death and Religion in a Changing World (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003126997
Government of India. (1969). The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. Retrieved on February 14, 2024, from https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/11674/1/the_registration_of_births_and_deaths_act%2C_1969.pdf
Government of India. (1973). Section 174 in The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. India. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_5_23_000010_197402_1517807320555&orderno=200#:~:text=(1)%20A%20police%20officer%20proceeding,and%20to%20answer%20truly%20all
ICCFA Government and Legal Affairs Committee. (1998). Model Guidelines. ICCFA. Retrieved on February 14, 2024, from https://iccfa.com/model-guidelines/
Indian Code of Criminal Procedure Section 176. https://indiankanoon.org/doc/124667/
Indian Constitution. (n.d.). Article 21. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. http://www.constitution.org/cons/india/p03021.html
Indian Penal Code. (n.d.(a)). Section 297. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://indiankanoon.org/doc/84948/
Indian Penal Code. (n.d.(b)). Section 297A. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://devgan.in/ipc/section/297/#:~:text=Whoever%2C%20with%20the%20intention%20of,of%20worship%20or%20on%20any
International Committee of the Red Cross. (1949). Geneva Convention IV, Article 16. Wounded and sick I. General protection. https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gciv-1949/article-16?activeTab=undefined
Khedar, R. S., Mittal, K., Ambaliya, H. C., Mathur, A., Gupta, J. B., Sharma, K. K., ... & Gupta, R. (2021). Greater COVID-19 severity and mortality in hospitalized patients in second (Delta variant) wave compared to the first: Single centre prospective study in India. medRxiv. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.03.21263091v1
Khosla, M. (2012). The Indian Constitution. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-indian-constitution-9780198075387?cc=in&lang=en&
Knott, K., & Morris, B. (2013). Hindu funeral rites and ancestor worship. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/hindu-funeral-rites-and-ancestor-worship/0E955E1B7A324ED0922D0257BC727A0A
Koenig, H. G., King, D. E., & Carson, V. B. (2012). Handbook of religion and health. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/handbook-of-religion-and-health-9780195335958?cc=in&lang=en&#
Mahapatra, S. (2017). The significance of rites and rituals in human life. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Research, 3(1), 1–9. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.522/2017.3.1/522.1.1.9
Malhotra, S., Mani, K., Lodha, R., Bakhshi, S., Mathur, V. P., Gupta, P., ... & COVID Reinfection AIIMS Consortium. (2022). Effectiveness of BBV152 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths among healthcare workers in the setting of high delta variant transmission in New Delhi, India. medRxiv. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34994793/
Manoj, M. G., Satheesh Kumar, M. K., Valsaraj, K. T., Vijayan, S. K., & Nishanth, T. (2022). Exacerbation of fatality rates induced by poor air quality due to open-air mass funeral pyre cremation during the second wave of COVID-19. Toxics, 10(6), 306. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10060306
Mead, G. H. (1934). Mind, self, and society: From the standpoint of a social behaviorist. University of Chicago Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1934-15037-000
Menon, V., Pattnaik, J. I., & Padhy, S. K. (2021). COVID-19 and right to die with dignity: Time to re-evaluate policies over the practice of last rites? Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 43(1), 91–92. https://doi.org/10.1177/0253717620979477
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2021). COVID-19: Guidelines on dead body management. Government of India. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/UpdatedguidelinesonDeadbodymanagementofCovid19cases.pdf
Mohammad Latief Magrey v. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir & Ors., Civil Appeal No. 6544 of 2022 (@ SLP (C) No.12743 of 2022), In the Supreme Court of India, Civil Appellate Jurisdiction.
Morrison, K. (2003). Review of the book The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, by E. Durkheim. Social Forces, 82(1), 399–404. https://doi.org/10.1353/sof.2003.0100
National Funeral Directors Association. (n.d.). State Funeral Service Regulations. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://www.nfda.org/advocacy/regulatory-compliance/state-funeral-service-regulations
National Human Rights Commission of India. (n.d.(a)). Guidelines on custodial deaths. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://nhrc.nic.in/acts-&-rules/guidelines-1
National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC). (14 May 2021). Advisory for Upholding Dignity & Protecting the Rights of Dead. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://nhrc.nic.in/sites/default/files/NHRC%20Advisory%20for%20Upholding%20Dignity%20%26%20Protecting%20the%20Rights%20of%20Dead.pdf
National Human Rights Commission of India. (n.d.(b)). Guidelines on post-mortem examination. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://nhrc.nic.in/post-mortem-examination-guidelines
National Human Rights Commission of India. (2020). F. No. R-18/18 /2020 - PRP&P (RU-1). https://covid19.nagaland.gov.in/storage/advisories/Scan%20May%2019,%202021%20(1).pdf
Population density (people per sq. km of land area) – India. world Bank website. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.POP.DNST?locations=IN
Rahman, F. I., Ether, S. A., & Islam, M. R. (2022). The “Delta Plus” COVID-19 variant has evolved to become the next potential variant of concern: Mutation history and measures of prevention. Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 33(1), 109–112. https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2021-0251
Rappaport, R. (1999). Ritual and religion in the making of humanity. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/ritual-and-religion-in-the-making-of-humanity/99F1AE57E9E2ACFD4019ED9A6DA38036
Sandberg, R. (2009). R (Ghai) v Newcastle upon Tyne City Council, [2010] EWCA Civ 59 (2010). https://vlex.co.uk/vid/r-ghai-v-newcastle-793598389
Shish Ram v. Union of India & ORS. (Civil Appeal No. 4523 of 2006). 23 November 2011 https://main.sci.gov.in/pdf/SupremeCourtReport/2011_v13_pii.pdf
Taylor, C. (1992). The ethics of authenticity. Harvard University Press. https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674987692
The Express Tribune. (12 May 2021). Volunteers collect unclaimed ashes of India's COVID-19 dead for final farewell. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2299645/volunteers-collect-unclaimed-ashes-of-indias-covid-19-dead-for-final-farewell
UNESCO. (2001). Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000121465
United Nations. (1948). Universal declaration of human rights. A/RES/217(III). United Nations General Assembly. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
United Nations General Assembly. (1966). International covenant on civil and political rights. A/RES/2200A (XXI). United Nations General Assembly. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/ccpr.aspx
United Nations. (2005). Basic principles and guidelines on the right to a remedy and reparation for victims of gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law. A/RES/60/147. United Nations General Assembly. https://undocs.org/A/RES/60/147
United States Federal Trade Commission (1994). Code of federal regulations. Title 16 - Commercial Practices. Chapter 1, subchapter D, Part 453 - Funeral industry practices. 59 FR 1611. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-453
Vincent, N. (2015). Magna Carta: The Foundation of Freedom, 1215-2015. London: Third Millennium Publishing. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/magnacartafounda00vinc
West Bengal Excise Directorate. (2023). Burial/cremation information. https://excise.wb.gov.in/CHMS/Public/Page/CHMS_Public_Burial_Cremation_Information.aspx
Widiyanto, A., Fajriah, A. S., Atmojo, J. T., Handayani, R. T., & Kurniavie, L. E. (October 2020). The effect of social media exposure on depression and anxiety disorders in facing COVID-19 pandemic. European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine, 7(2), 4635–4643. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.20421.17126
Williams, H. (2003). Material culture as memory: Combs and cremation in early medieval Britain. Early Medieval Europe, 12(2), 89–128. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-9462.2004.00123.x
World Health Organization. (2020). Infection prevention and control for the safe management of a dead body in the context of COVID-19: Interim guidance. Retrieved date December 1, 2023. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/infection-prevention-and-control-for-the-safe-management-of-a-dead-body-in-the-context-of-covid-19-interim-guidance
Acknowledgements
Abul Hasem acknowledges Government of India for providing Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)-India Scholarship under Bangladesh Scheme to study 5-years B.A.LL.B. (Honours) course at the Department of Law, University of Calcutta (File No.: HCI Dhaka/NO.DAC/EDU/17/03/2020). The authors acknowledge ChatGPT AI for English language editing. The authors deeply appreciate the valuable insights shared by Dr. Swati Bhattacharjee (Journalist), Prof. (Dr.) Debasis Bhattacharyya (Clinician), Prof. (Dr.) Jatindra Kumar Das (Professor of Law), Swami Vedatitananda (Spiritual Teacher), and Sushil Saha (Social Worker) during the 'Advocate Nirmalendu Bandyopadhyay memorial panel discussion' on the topic of “Dignity of the Dead: Legal, Religious, and Scientific aspects,” held at Shivananda Hall, The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, Kolkata, India, on June 11, 2022.
Funding
Indian Council for Cultural Relations, HCI Dhaka/NO.DAC/EDU/17/03/2020, ABUL HASEM.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics Approval
This study did not involve any human or animal participants. No informed consent was required for this study.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Hasem, A., Banerjee, N. Unprecedented Struggles: Preserving Last Rites as Human Rights During the Second Wave of COVID-19 in India. J. Hum. Rights Soc. Work (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-023-00282-z
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-023-00282-z