TNA says forced cremations a violation of fundamental rights of Muslims

• Calls on Govt. to discuss issue with Muslims leaders and reach reasonable and just decision
• Says practice of mandatory cremation should not continue

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has called on the Government to discuss the issue of mandatory cremation of bodies of those who succumb to COVID-19 with Muslim leaders and come to a reasonable and just decision without any further delay.

“The denial of the right of the Muslim people to dispose of their dead bodies in keeping with the tenets of their religion is a violation of their fundamental right and should not continue,” TNA Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran said in a press release.

The statement from the TNA said that it appeared that in the view of medical experts, burial of bodies would not result in any harm to others and it would also appear that in many countries the world over bodies are being buried on the basis that no harm would accrue to any others.

“It is compulsory to arrive at a final decision with regard to the disposal of bodies of our Muslim brethren who die of COVID-19 without delay,” the TNA said.