Karnataka: After gov't immerses COVID victims' ashes in Cauvery, villagers express fear of water pollution

With the revenue minister hinting at more such unclaimed ashes to be immersed, former Belakavadi town chairman Doddaiah has expressed fear and resentment on part of the government for immersing Covid victims' ashes into the river stream in their village.

The villagers and the ex-Chairman feel that the water that flows to Malavalli town and also Maddur and is used for drinking purposes may get polluted and hence this visarjan should be stopped here and an alternate arrangement should be made for visarjan of ashes.

Doddaiah was quoted as saying," After 1,200 ashes visarjan, the minister also said that there are about 10,000 such unclaimed ashes and told these ashes will be given a decent farewell by the officials. But if this takes place, it may have a serious impact on the health of Malavalli town and Maddur residents. Hence, this should be stopped immediately and alternate arrangements should be made."

Some of the villagers also feel that, as many would come to immerse, they may be carriers of Covid and may end up infecting the village.

On Wednesday, Revenu Minister R Ashoka and Additional Chief Secretary N Manjunath Prasad with other officials performed a havan and later immersed 1,200 Covid ashes to banks of river Cauvery. The programme was held at Malavalli taluk, Belakavadi village's Annapoorneshari and Kashi Vishwanatha Temple premises.

As more deaths are recorded in Bengaluru and crematoriums are witnessing piling up of Covid victims' ashes across crematoriums, the officials have been instructed to immerse ashes if relatives or friends fail to turn up within 15 days.

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• Ashes
• Belakavadi
• Covid
• Malavalli
• R Ashoka