The Latvian woman was cremated Thursday at the Shanthi Kavadam crematorium at Thycaud: Photo | Manoj Kumar KThiruvananthapuram: A controversy has flared up over the cremation of the Latvian medical tourist who was murdered on the outskirts of the city last month. Questions have been raised as to why the Christian woman was not buried as per tradition followed by the faith.
The Human Rights Commission had ordered a Christian burial in response to a complaint filed by BJP district president S Suresh, who had pointed out that cremating the body would prevent any possible chance for a fresh investigation which could become necessary at a later stage.
Suresh had visited the DGP's office on Thursday to pass on the Commission's order shortly before the cremation started but was reportedly ignored.
But in a swift response, state minister Kadakampalli Surendran mounted an attack on the Commission headed by P Mohanadas, calling him a “curse” on the state.
The Commission in its order had pointed out that Christians do not cremate their dead.
Memories never fade
The body was cremated at the Shanthi Kavadam crematorium using firewood as per the family's wish.
The dead woman's sister stood watching the rites in a state of shock.
Eugene H Pereira, Vicar General of the Thiruvanthapuram Archdiocese, led the final rites.
Minister Surendran was among those who attended. Some Irish citizens, who were already in Kerala, also joined.
Hundreds of local people had also arrived at Shanthi Kavadam to pay their last respects to the murdered woman.
BJP cries foul
The BJP charged that the body was cremated as the government wants to hush up many things. The party's state president, Kummanam Rajasekharan, also raised the same charge.
Minister Surendran responded that what matters is the interests of the Latvian family, rather than the Human Rights Commission's politics.
The government had planned a cremation using electricity, but the family sought the use of firewood. He alleged that those who filed a complaint did not care to check with the grieving family members.
V Muraleedharan, a BJP MP, said it was mysterious that the cremation was being rushed through, and that the family was being send back to their home country under threats of drug charges.
He alleged that were being pressured to hail the government and leave as fast as possible.
Speaking to the media, the dead woman's family said that they intended to take the ashes to their country. “After my sister's cremation, her ashes will be taken to our house in Latvia and preserved in the garden,” Ilze had said Thursday.
The Latvian medical tourist was raped and murdered in a mangrove forest at Thiruvallom in the capital by two people.
They were arrested after confirming their culpability from the scientific evidence obtained from the crime spot.
Read more Kerala news
