Jagmohan Singh
Amritsar, April 02, 2020: The mortal remains of former Hazuri Ragi of Golden Temple were consigned to flames at village Shukarchak outskirt area of the city in the evening around 8.00 p.m here today amidst the presence of police force and officials from administration.
A Padma Shri awardee and former ''Hazuri Raagi'' at the Golden Temple who was undergoing treatment for coronavirus here died early Thursday morning. The 62-year-old ''Gurbani'' exponent had recently returned from abroad and tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday.
The last rites of the body were performed by the administration including officials of Health department as family relatives were not allowed to take part in the cremation.
Earlier, before cremation his body was tightly sealed by the health department, with this no one including his family members were allowed for Antim Darsan of the body.
Earlier administration was struggling hard since morning to perform his last rites, as it was facing severe opposition from public.
Earlier administration went to cremation ground in the city where people from doctor community and others came forward with the plea that when infected body consigned to flames, the fluid from body explodes will create infection through fumes in the air that would be proved more dangerous as it will spread virus in the environment.
Thereafter, administration went to cremation ground at Verka village, where huge crowd of people gathered there inspite of curfew, prevented the administration to cremate the body there. Administration agreed with the villagers when it observed that law and order situation was going to disturb.
However, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal taking strong notice said that anti-social forces prevailing on the Punjab government and not allowing the mortal remains of Hazuri Ragi Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa to be consigned to flames at the cremation ground at Verka. Those responsible for locking the Verka cremation ground must be taken to task and proceeded against. Also a clear directive should be issued by the government that no COVID -19 victim will be discriminated and denied last rites in this manner, he quipped.
SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said that administration was offered place in Gurdwara Satlani Sahib’s cremation ground but administration declined the offer by saying that it was already managed by them.
Adding further Longowal said whatever happened at Verka cremation ground was disrespect to the departed soul which served the Sikh community throughout his life.
Longowal said that officials of SGPC also went to take part in the cremation ground but administration didn’t allow them.