Letters | Bodies on the banks of the Ganges river: the real tragedy of India surfaces
- A minister who commented on the incident focuses on the cleanliness of the river, but does not mention the plight of those whose bodies were found
Mr Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the union minister dealing with water and rivers, tweeted: “The incident of corpses found floating in the Ganga in Buxar region of Bihar is unfortunate. This is definitely a matter for investigation. The Modi government is committed to the cleanliness of ‘mother’ Ganga. This incident is unexpected. The concerned states should take immediate cognisance in this regard.”
The minister’s comment focuses on the commitment of the government to the cleanliness of the river, but does not mention the plight of those whose bodies were found. How did these people die? Why could they not be treated? Why did their relatives discard these bodies into the river? Why did the local district administration officials not help them with hospital admissions, treatment and religious burials or cremations? Why are we becoming so casual about the deaths of our fellow citizens? Each of the bodies that washed up on the banks of the river should be identified and their last rites performed.
A clean river is important. But what is more heart-rending and shocking is the sheer helplessness of a nation that cannot treat its sick. The incident underscores the real tragedy of India. We cannot be cavalier about the death of our fellow citizens.
Rajendra Aneja, Mumbai
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