CHENNAI/ERODE: Cutting across caste, religion and politics, volunteers of Tamil Nadu
Muslim
Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) upheld humanity by giving a dignified burial to those who died of Covid-19. They performed the last rites as per the wishes and customs of the families of the dead.
From the first burial following ICMR protocol for Covid-19in Saidapet in
Vellore
last year to the burial of 45 year-old Anitha, of Upparapalli village in Vellore district on Tuesday, the 4,000-odd volunteers of the TMMK have always come forward to carry out the final rites of the Covid-19 victims. From April 1 to May 25, they were cremated and buried 2,064 across the state as per Covid-19 protocol. During the first wave last year, they buried and cremated 1,350 people in the state.
“Fear of contracting the virus holds back crematorium workers. So, we volunteer to give a dignified burial to the dead,” said P S Nizhamuddin, coordinator of the TMMK’s volunteers in Gudiyattam.
For those families belonging to the economically weaker section, the TMMK takes care of expenses, including transportation of the body from the hospital to the burial ground, and other funeral expenses.
Since families cannot bid a proper farewell, the volunteers try to follow the customs that gives the final journey a personal touch. “Since many families request us to perform certain rituals as per their beliefs, we try and follow it,” said TMMK state secretary J Eajaz Ahmed, who has now become familiar with the customs of Hindus and Christians.
The fear of the virus is such that relatives too sometimes shy away from giving a proper burial. On May 25, in
Erode
, when a Hindu family refused to carry out the final rites formalities for a covid-19 suspected person, four of his Muslim neighbours donned PPE kits and performed the rites on behalf of the family members. P Selvaraj, 42, of Erukalur village near Nambiyur in Gobichettipalayam taluk died after suffering from cold and fever for a week. He had been at home and had been taking pills from a local medical shop. “His condition deteriorated and he struggled to breath,” said N Mohammed Isak, a neighbour who helped bury Selvaraj.
After his death, Selvaraj’s wife and his 16-year-old son refused to bury Selvarj fearing Covid-19 infection. As the news spread, Mohammed Isak, K Nasrullah Khan, A Abdul Shakeem and S Mohammed came forward to carry out the final rites on behalf of the family. “We performed the final rites as directed by Selvaraj’s relatives as we believe everyone deserves to go with dignity,” said Mohammed Isak.
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