India Demands Immediate Halt to Bodies Being Disposed in the Ganges

Indian authorities have called for an immediate cessation of bodies being thrown into the Ganges River, as reported by Indian Minister of Water Resources, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

“We take the issue of body disposal in the Ganges very seriously and have taken measures to stop it. The Indian government, through the national mission for cleaning the Ganges and regional authorities, will ensure the removal of all unidentified bodies,” he stated.

Previously, residents of Bihar state had reported discovering nearly 100 human remains in the river. It is believed that these may be bodies of individuals who died from COVID-19. Meanwhile, state authorities have confirmed the retrieval of 71 bodies, and the state police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

Local residents believe that the reason for disposing of bodies in the Ganges is the high cost associated with cremation or burial ceremonies or the difficulty in organizing funeral pyres, especially amid record-high COVID-19 cases across the country.