Mumbai Civic Body Withdraws Circular Making Cremation Must For Covid-19 Patients ‘Irrespective Of Religion’

The Mumbai civic body has withdrawn its morning order saying that the bodies of coronavirus patients can only be cremated.

In a circular, the Brihanmumbai Corporation had said that the order will be followed irrespective of religion.

“All bodies of #COVID19 patients should be cremated irrespective of religion. Burial will not be allowed. The funeral should not involve more than 5 people,” the circular said, issued by Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi.

The civic body had said that its decision was a safety measure against the highly contagious virus.

In the evening however state minister Nawab Malik tweeted that the order has been withdrawn.

“This is to bring to your kind attention that I have spoken to @mybmc Commissioner Mr. Praveen Pardeshi regarding the circular issued by him for cremation of those who have lost their lives due to the #CoronaVirus. The said circular has now been withdrawn,” Malik tweeted.

Cremation of dead bodies is considered contrary to values of the Islamic faith.