Karnataka Government Planning To Perform Final Rites For Abandoned Ashes Of Covid-19 Deceased; 'I'll Consider the Possibility Of Doing It Myself' Says Revenue Minister R Ashok

While the first wave had people distancing from those that got the virus even if they survived it, the second wave is bringing to light yet another phenomenon - of people distancing themselves from the deceased.

Ashes of people who have died of Covid-19 and been cremated are lying unclaimed in Karnataka. As per reports, around 1,400 people's ashes are awaiting final disposal but authorities have failed to get any response from the families of the deceased.

At around 11 designated crematoriums in capital city Bengaluru, these containers with ashes lie awaiting a response, but officials say the families have refused to respond and all measures to convince them to claim the ashes have filed.

While a few they say have even switched off their phones following the funeral, many others are vary of possible infections, while few others are said to cite the lockdown as a reason. The government has also issued an order facilitating movement of people to places like the sangama in Srirangapatna, a confluence of rivers, for the immersion of the ashes. But this too has had not much bearing, say officials, as quoted.

And as crematoriums are unable to hold the ashes any longer, the government is contemplating a mass, final ritual for these unclaimed ashes and their immersion in river Cauvery and may take a call on Wednesday about the same.

The refusal of the families of the deceased to claim the ashes has prompted the state's Revenue Minister R Ashok to consider performing mass rituals for the final disposal of these piling pots of ashes himself. "Many of these families are scared and under the wrong impression tat they may get infected if they enter the crematoriums. I'll consider the possibility of doing it myself," said Ashok, as quoted.