PANAJI
Women's Group Bailancho Saad has welcomed an order by the Goa Human Rights Commission ordering that the authorities prevent disrobing of deceased women in the crematoria.
The Bailancho Saad had approached the Goa Human Rights Commission with a few specific cases and argued that the practice of disrobing deceased women before cremation violated the dignity of women and therefore violates the basic human rights of women.
The Human Rights Commission observed, "Disrobing of the deceased woman in the crematorium certainly amounts to violation of basic human rights of the women which is required to be prevented by the concerned authorities by taking appropriate steps."
"We therefore recommend to the Director, Department of Urban Development (Municipal Administration) Panaji, Goa to issue appropriate directions to the Corporation of the City of Panaji and to all municipal bodies in the state of Goa to ensure that the deceased woman is not disrobed in the crematorium before placing the body on the pyre."
"Likewise, we also recommend the Director of Panchayats to issue appropriate directions to all the village panchayats of Goa to ensure that the deceased woman is not disrobed in the crematorium before placing the body on the pyre," the Human Rights Commission A D Salkar and J A Keny said in their order.
The Goa Chief Secretary has also been directed to ensure that the recommendations of the Commission are complied by the concerned authorities.
"We had a case where a widower husband approached us, stating that his wife was disrobed just before her funeral pyre was lit and that several of the people who had gathered there were passing comments," Bailancho Saad Convenor Dr Sabina Martins said.
Dr Martins had filed a complaint with the GHRC after Bailancho Saad received several complaints to take steps to stop the practice of disrobing women.
"The practice caused trauma and distress to family and friends to see their loved ones stripped of clothes before the public who were predominantly men. Incidents of ogling, voyeurism and sexist remarks were reported," Dr Martins said.
The practice, while not being widely reported, is reported to be practiced among certain communities in Goa.
In response to notices, from the Human Rights Commission, while many municipal councils stated that they informed elected representatives to ensure that this does not happen and others stated they were not aware if this practice was taking place, the Ponda Municipal Council informed that they are indeed aware of this practice taking place.
In some cases even images of the deceased women were being circulated by Whatsapp, they said.
