Odisha Civic Body to Take Corrective Measures After 'Brahmins Only' Crematorium Draws Flak

A civic body in Odisha on Tuesday said it would take corrective measures to set right allegations of caste discrimination after drawing flak for operating a crematorium exclusively for Brahmins.

The 155-year-old Kendrapara Municipality, the oldest civic body in the eastern state, promised that it would look into the matter after the erection of an official signage designating a crematorium in Hazaribagicha locality in Kendrapara town for Brahmins drew criticism from Dalit rights activists and politicians.

Kendrapara Municipality chairperson Sarita Sahoo said, “It had not come to my notice though the practice was in vogue for decades. Keeping in view the impropriety of the matter, the civic body council will discuss the issue in its next meeting and will resolve the matter.”