Instances of fierce competition and disputes over the burial of the deceased have come to light in Dehradun. Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams has alleged that politics is being played in the name of graveyards.
उत्तराखंड में लाशों पर राजनीति, राजधानी देहरादून में कब्रिस्तान विवाद, नहीं दफ़नाने दिया जनाज़ा
In Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, a dispute has erupted regarding the burial of the deceased at the Morowala and Subhash Nagar cemeteries. Families of people who have migrated from outside the region and settled here are now being denied permission to bury their deceased relatives in these cemeteries.
A major crisis has emerged for residents across several areas, including Turner Road and Azad Colony. This matter has reached various authorities, ranging from the Waqf Board and the District Administration to the Police. The cemetery committees cite a shortage of space as the primary difficulty, further arguing that burial facilities are available at the cemetery located on the Haridwar Bypass.
The issue came to the fore on April 13, when Akbar Hussain, a resident of Turner Road, passed away; his burial was subsequently refused at the Subhash Nagar cemetery. His son, Hatim, expressed strong resentment over this decision, pointing out that their family had migrated from Tehri and had been residing in the area since 1998. He asserted that denying them burial rights was unjustifiable. Eventually, the body was laid to rest at the Chandranagar cemetery. Similar incidents have also been reported at the Morowala cemetery.
Allegations Leveled Against Cemetery Committees
Residents of Turner Road—including Asif Beg, Sadiq, Abdul Samad, and Ansar-ul-Haq—contend that the land comprising the Morowala cemetery is not registered under any specific individual’s name. They allege that burials are being refused on the grounds that the deceased are “outsiders,” despite the fact that the cemetery was originally designated for use by the entire community. Families who migrated years ago from regions such as Tehri, Pauri, Bijnor, Saharanpur, and Muzaffarnagar—and have since settled here—are deeply distressed by this situation. In Subhash Nagar, too, burials are reportedly being denied under the pretext that the land is currently being filled or reclaimed.
The Morowala Committee’s Stance
Abid Ali, President of the Morowala Cemetery Committee, stated that this cemetery has been designated specifically for the local village community since the British colonial era. He noted that while the population was sparse in the past, it has now multiplied manifold. He argued that even for the villagers themselves, finding space for a new grave often requires digging up and reusing existing burial plots three times over; under such circumstances, he questioned how it would be feasible to accommodate people from outside the community.
“Politics Being Played Over Cemeteries”: Shams
Shadab Shams, Chairman of the Waqf Board, asserted that cemeteries belong to everyone and that no one has the authority to refuse the burial of any deceased individual. In Subhashnagar, discussions were held with the Committee President, Haji Naushad, and Secretary, Zakir Hussain. The cemetery has become filled to capacity with graves; consequently, the committee is currently undertaking land-filling work within the premises. It has been noted that certain individuals are engaging in political maneuvering under the pretext of the cemeteries.
Committee Formed for the Kabari Pul Cemetery
Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams stated that a cemetery spanning approximately 16 bighas—located behind Kabari Pul—was allocated during the tenure of the then-Mayor, Vinod Chamoli. An appeal has been issued to all concerned parties to utilize this facility. A committee was constituted following a meeting held a month ago, and individuals who had previously raised complaints have also been included as members of this committee.
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