79 Years After Independence, Shahapur Tribal Hamlet Performs Cremation In Open Field Amid Rain

Shahapur: Despite being 79 years after India's independence, certain tribal hamlets in Shahapur taluka are still grappling with basic amenities, as exemplified by the cremation of Jayabai Mahadu Wagh on Tuesday. Wagh, a member of the gram panchayat committee from Umbharai village, was laid to rest in an open field during heavy rainfall.

The village lacks a designated cremation ground, forcing residents to perform the last rites in an open malran (open ground) near their homes. During the cremation, villagers had to hold tarpaulin and plastic sheets over the funeral pyre to prevent it from being extinguished by the rain.

The difficulties did not end with the cremation. The villagers had to carry the body on their shoulders for approximately 1.5 km through a muddy stretch due to the poor state of the road connecting the settlement. For nearly two years, residents have been petitioning for a cremation ground in the tribal settlement, but their demands have gone unfulfilled. The village, with a population of around 100, relies on open areas or riverbanks for the last rites of their deceased.

The issue of cremation facilities extends beyond Umbharai, affecting more than 250 villages and hamlets in Shahapur taluka, according to residents and social organizations. Some areas lack suitable land, while others struggle with inadequate funding and necessary infrastructure to construct cremation grounds. Shahapur taluka comprises 110 gram panchayats, 227 revenue villages, and 414 villages and hamlets.

The lack of proper roads exacerbates the situation during monsoon, especially in remote areas, where villagers sometimes have to traverse streams and rivers while transporting bodies to available cremation sites. Keshav Pawar, a resident of the village, highlighted the dire situation in Katkariwadi, where there is no proper road and no cremation facility. During heavy rain, cremation has to be performed under makeshift covers like tarpaulin sheets.

Sunil Wagh, a relative, emphasized the role of poor road connectivity in the villagers' predicament, stating that there is no proper road to bring the body back to the settlement. Bhadu Vekade, another resident, expressed the same sentiment, noting that the road leading to Katkariwadi is in poor condition and the settlement has no cremation ground.

The incident has brought attention to the need for better infrastructure, including roads, water, electricity, healthcare, and a dignified place to perform the last rites of the deceased in the tribal pockets of Shahapur.