LONDON, UK, January 11, 2006: An organization here plans to petition the European court of Human Rights to ensure that bodies of Hindus and Sikhs are cremated on traditional funeral pyres instead of in electric crematoriums. Britain has a large minority of Hindus and Sikhs, but arrangements for the deceased within the communities are different from what is ordained by the scriptures. There are instances of families taking the bodies to India for cremation according to proper rituals. The Anglo-Asian Friendship Society based in Gosforth, is approaching the Newcastle City Council and the European Court of Human Rights to demand traditional funeral arrangements for Hindus and Sikhs. Davender Ghai, president of the charity, told the local media: “Many Hindus and Sikhs in England object to mechanic gas-fuelled cremation but, without any alternative, reluctantly comply. Now our legal team is preparing a case under the 1998 Human Rights Act and may plead directly to the European Court of Human Rights.” (HPI note: While this is the opinion of Mr. Ghai, we are unaware of any religious leader stating that gas or electric cremation is undesirable. Both type of crematoriums exist in India.)
The 1930 Cremation Act prevents funeral pyres in England. However, British authorities have allowed the use of certain rivers where the ashes of the dead may be scattered, instead of traveling to Haridwar in India. The Soar, the Thames and the Wye are among such rivers officially designated as the Ganges. In keeping with tradition, the Soar has been anointed with water from the Ganges to make it a credible substitute for the holy river.