Vadodara BJP Leaders Object To Muslim Volunteers At Crematorium Even As Dead Bodies Pile Up

BJP leaders in Vadodra have objected to the presence of Muslim volunteers at the Khaswadi crematorium in the city - where bodies of COVID patients are piling up in the second wave of coronavirus.

According to The Indian Express, the incident came to light on April 16, when "some BJP leaders of the party¡¯s Vadodara unit, including its president Dr Vijay Shah, had reached the crematorium to participate in the last rites of a party leader."

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The leaders had objected to the presence of a Muslim man who had been preparing the pyre with the wood and cow dung cakes for the burial.

Shah told the Vadodara Municipal Corporation to ensure that Muslims are not allowed to enter the crematorium.

Shah told The Indian Express that Muslims should not get into religious rituals when they have no knowledge of it. "We have told the VMC that the person, who is given the contract for the supply of wood and cow dung could deliver it outside the crematorium. He does not need to be inside,¡± he said.

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However, Shah's objection was not approved by many other BJP leaders.

Mayor Keyur Rokadia said that the issue will be addressed amicably while adding that ¡°communities must work together¡± during the time of pandemic.