The BJP on Wednesday severely criticised the State Government for imposing a restriction on cremation of dead bodies at the Swargadwar in Puri till the coronavirus situation becomes normal.
“It is a religious belief that people attain salvation if cremated at Swargadwar in Puri. For this, many dead bodies from across the State are cremated there. People also come for ‘Asthi Bisarjan’ of their kin in the sea. The State Government can’t kill the beliefs of Odia and other Hindu people,” said BJP State general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan.
He said dead bodies can be cremated amid execution of Covid-19 guidelines set by the Union Government. “The State Government should ask the Puri district administration to withdraw the decion and all cremation of bodies at Swargadwar,” demanded Harichandan.