Burial Debate in Pashupatinath Area

The hot cake of in early this week was the debate on burial grounds for an indigenous community in Nepal named 'Kirats'. They have demanded to get space on Sleshmantak forest (with Pashupatinath Temple) in Kathmandu to bury the dead body. Meanwhile, Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) had decided to stop providing the area of Sleshmantak forest for burial of their dead. Kirats blocked the vehicular movement in Kathmandu as the protest against the decision of PADT. Bowing to intense pressure of Kirats, the government is likely to provide the space around Sleshmantak for burial.

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Of course, it’s the right of Christians and indigenous people to bury the dead of their relatives. Considering the limitation of land, Christians are almost agreed to cremate the dead body but unfortunately, Kirats have started to protest and block the vehicular movement on this issue. The situation was getting worse in Kathmandu and probability of some racial and religious conflict was projected. Though the situation didn't head to the worst direction, the cold debates are taking place among the people in Nepal.

The place where the dead body was buried once takes lots of years to bury again. Some people make cemetery so that no any plant can grow there or can be reused to bury other body. So, people need to think an alternative solution for the funeral procession of their relatives. Furthermore, Pashupatinath temple is the great holy place for Hindu people and is also listed in world heritage site. The action of burying body in this area obviously destroys the magnificence of this place, as well as hurt in the heart of Hindu people. Nevertheless, Nepal is declared secular nation, where every religion get equal opportunity and respect, but is it the principle or value of secularism to disrespect another religion or belief?

Image Source: Mytripnepal.com