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British court allows argument in favour of
open-air funerals
WSN Network
London: A demand from British
Hindus and Sikhs to be allowed to hold open-air funerals, which are
banned in Britain, got a major impetus with a charity fighting for
the cause being allowed to present its case in court, The Evening
Chronicle newspaper has reported.
Davender Ghai, president of the Anglo Asian Friendship Society, has
been given permission to present his arguments in court by Newcastle
High Court judge, Justice Andrew Collins.
The development follows a legal row last year over the open-air
funeral held of a young Indian-born Sikh, Rajpal Mehat, organised by
the charity at a secret location in Northumberland, north east of
England.
Justice Collins has declared that the burning of bodies in the open
"is not necessarily unlawful" and that the subject was "an issue of
considerable importance". He said a full hearing should be held to
establish the legality of the ceremony as a matter of interest,
according to the newspaper.
Justice Collins added: "The point it raises is of some considerable
importance to the Hindu community and will not go away. It is, in
any event, in the public interest that this court should decide on
its potential lawfulness."
The funeral of Mehat, who drowned in a canal in Southall, west
London, had taken place in a remote field after police gave
permission on humanitarian grounds. But the local department for
constitutional affairs said the ceremony was unlawful and police
later admitted the service may have been illegal. Open-air funerals
have been illegal in Britain since 1930.
The Newcastle-based charity was founded to provide free help to all
minorities in an effort to empower and assist them to integrate
successfully into British culture.
4 April,
2007
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