Daughter’s cremation ordeal in Uttarakhand: With no dry wood, family forced to use diesel and tyres for pyre

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Srinagar: A heartbreaking incident has come to light from Alkeshwar ghat in Srinagar, Garhwal, where a family faced unimaginable difficulties while performing the last rites of their 19-year-old daughter.

The ordeal has raised serious questions about humanity, profiteering, and the poor state of cremation facilities in the region.

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Wood supplied by a private operator was wet and unfit for cremation

On Saturday, the family reached the cremation ground with the body of their daughter, a resident of ward number 12. What followed was a painful struggle. The wood supplied by a private operator was wet and unfit for cremation. Despite repeated attempts, the pyre refused to catch fire. Witnesses said the father sat near his daughter’s body for hours, desperately trying to light the pyre, but every effort failed.

Along with diesel, the family was forced to burn old tyres, tubes, and mattresses

The family waited helplessly for nearly four hours. In desperation, they purchased 15 litres of diesel from the market. When even that failed to ignite the pyre, they had to buy 5 litres more, followed by another 10 litres. Along with diesel, the family was forced to burn old tyres, tubes, mattresses, sheets, and even the deceased girl’s belongings—her clothes, school bag, and shoes—to keep the fire going. Only after hours of struggle did the pyre finally catch fire, leaving everyone present in tears.

Shameful reflection of negligence and profiteering

Local residents expressed deep anger over the incident, calling it a shameful reflection of negligence and profiteering. They alleged that private stall operators are charging full prices but supplying poor-quality wood, leaving families to suffer during their most vulnerable moments.

Ward councillor Shubham Prabhakar strongly condemned the incident in a letter to the Municipal Corporation Mayor. He said profiteering has reached such a level that even the dignity of the deceased is no longer respected. He demanded that a government-run wood depot be established within the municipal area to prevent arbitrary actions by private operators and to ensure that families do not face such inhumane conditions again.

Immediate action has been initiated

Srinagar Mayor Aarti Bhandari responded by saying that immediate action has been initiated. A notice has been sent to the ghat operator, and consultations are underway with the Forest Department. She clarified that the logging facility is privately operated and not under the direct control of the corporation. Action will be taken against the operator after due consultation.

Wider debate on the need for government intervention in cremation facilities

This incident has sparked a wider debate on the need for government intervention in cremation facilities. Public representatives and residents alike believe that basic dignity must be ensured during last rites, and profiteering at such sensitive times cannot be tolerated.