No dignity for Covid victim even in death

The  75-year-old woman who died in Bantwala of  Dakshina Kannada had to face stiff resistance from locals even after her demise.

The woman died on Thursday and till late on Friday  evening, the district administration and her relatives had to face stiff resistance over her funeral.

Following the incident, S Suresh Kumar, Education Minister, who is spokesperson for Covid-19 in Karnataka, appealed to citizens not to stigmatise those affected by Covid-19 and their families.

The appeal came as the last rites of the elderly woman were performed amid stiff resistance from locals.

“Just because of one is infected by Covid-19, he or she should not be stigmatised; no family should become untouchable. Last evening, after the elderly woman”s death, a lot of resistance came for her last rites in Bantwala…finally officials had to intervene,” Kumar said.

Recollecting similar incidents in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the minister said, “Such acts of not allowing the last rites of those affected by the virus are inhuman. It may be due to lack of education or knowledge, and we as a society need to work on it.”

Meanwhile, Dr M Shantharam Shetty, Chairman, Tejasvini Hospital, Mangalore has released a video message appealing people not to oppose cremation of covid victim. Listen to the video message…