The implementation of the Dead Body Respect Bill (2023) in Haryana is experiencing a delay. The government aims to prevent road blockages caused by the placement of dead bodies and is making arrangements to introduce a bill to enforce this ban. However, Home Minister Anil Vij has raised objections to the bill, prompting the Home Department to initiate a study on the matter.
Vij says that it is necessary to gather practical information before bringing such a bill. He said that first of all, it is necessary to study the state in which this law is applicable. Currently in this bill, there is a provision of imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of 50,000 rupees to those who protest with the dead body.
The current draft of the bill includes a proposal granting local authorities the authority to cremate such deceased individuals by the government. The Home Department had presented this bill to Home Minister Anil Vij for approval ten days ago. However, he has suggested that officials conduct further research on it before the winter session of the Haryana assembly. Vij says the home department has been directed to conduct a study to find out the effectiveness of such bills and laws passed by other states.
In July, the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government passed the Rajasthan Respect for Dead Bodies Bill, 2023, which provides for a fine of up to five years in prison for protesting with corpses. This makes the family responsible for the cremation as soon as possible. If the family refuses to cremate the body, public authorities can perform the cremation.
In a bill proposed in Haryana, officials can take the bodies of protesting family members into their custody. Anil Vij has raised objections to two aspects of the bill before its approval, citing unclear details within it. Vij has highlighted the need for clarity on these points and has directed the Home Department to provide further information.
