Residents of Gudana village in Haryana face a heart-wrenching situation. They are compelled to bury their dead in their own homes due to the absence of a cemetery
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — In Gudana village in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district, around 50 families from the Muslim community are facing an unimaginable challenge: the lack of a cemetery. With no designated burial ground for their loved ones, these villagers are left with no choice but to bury their dead within the premises of their homes. This issue has been ongoing for years, but despite repeated appeals to local authorities and even ministers, the Muslim community has not received any solution other than assurances.
The situation has become so dire that members of the community have now decided to protest. They plan to take their deceased family members’ bodies to the doorsteps of the authorities, as a final plea for a permanent solution. They have warned that if anyone dies, they will no longer bear the agony of burying their dead in the premises of their homes.
The issue stems from the absence of a cemetery in Gudana village, which forces Muslim families to resort to the unthinkable: burying their dead in their backyards. In fact, it has become so common for people in the area to live surrounded by graves that it is now a part of daily life in the colony. However, the community is deeply disturbed by this situation. Muslim residents feel uncomfortable and uneasy even within their homes, as the graves of their loved ones are often right outside their doors. “We are living among graves,” says one villager, reflecting on the daily distress caused by the lack of proper burial facilities. “It feels unnatural and is unsettling for our families.”
The local Gram Panchayat has been unable to provide land for a cemetery due to the ongoing issue of land consolidation in the village. The land is reportedly tied up in legal proceedings, leaving the villagers in a state of uncertainty. Adding to their frustration, the cremation grounds, traditionally used by the Hindu community, are located in a different village, further complicating the situation for Muslims who cannot access them.
The situation recently took an emotional toll on a villager, who recalled the harrowing experience of waiting three days before being able to bury his elderly relative. “She passed away, and we had to wait for three days because we had no place to bury her. In the end, we had to bury her in our yard,” he said, his voice filled with grief. This was not an isolated incident; several families in the community have had similar experiences. To date, over a dozen bodies have been buried in the residential area. Yet, no action has been taken to establish a proper cemetery.
According to Ravindra Kumar, the Sarpanch of Gudana village, the core issue is the absence of land consolidation. “The village land has not been consolidated yet, which prevents us from allocating land for a cemetery or a crematorium,” Kumar explained. “This has affected both the Muslim community and other villagers. We are all stuck in a situation where we cannot get the land for burial or cremation. The matter is currently in the high court, and we are awaiting a verdict.”
Swati Aggarwal, the Block Development Officer for the area, declined to comment on the matter directly but confirmed the situation. “We have received complaints about the lack of a cemetery in Gudana. The issue is related to land consolidation, and the case is currently pending in the high court. We can only resolve this once the court makes a decision,” she said, speaking on behalf of the authorities.
The lack of a proper burial ground has left the Muslim community in Gudana feeling neglected and isolated. As they continue to face the hardship of burying their loved ones in their homes, their calls for justice remain unanswered. The villagers are frustrated by the bureaucracy that seems to have stalled progress for years, with no clear timeline for when the matter will be resolved.
The situation has sparked outrage within the community, and the decision to take the bodies of the deceased to the doorsteps of the authorities is an act of defiance against the neglect they have faced. “We have had enough of empty promises,” said another villager. “We are demanding that our voices be heard. We will continue to fight for our rights and a dignified burial for our loved ones.”
In the face of adversity, the people of Gudana village are standing united, hoping that their protest will finally bring attention to their plight and force the authorities to act swiftly. As the matter awaits a resolution in court, the Muslim community is left to navigate the painful reality of burying their dead without the respect and dignity they deserve.
The lack of a cemetery in Gudana village is not just an issue of land; it is a matter of dignity and human rights. The Muslim community, as well as other residents, are demanding a permanent solution that ensures they no longer have to live among graves or bury their dead in the premises of their homes. The authorities must act now to resolve this issue and provide a safe, dignified place for the deceased to rest. Until then, the residents of Gudana village will continue their fight for justice.
