Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The body of internationally acclaimed algoza player Karamjit Singh Bagga, who passed away on October 8, decomposed as the freezer preserving his body stopped working due to prolonged power outage. The incident has triggered outrage in the cultural circles.
Bagga’s body had been kept in a freezer at Civil hospital in Mohali. However, apparent negligence by the hospital caused the freezer to fail. “The incident came to light when the body kept in the mortuary was found to be slightly decomposed. The mortuary has a total of eight freezers, all of which are in working condition. The freezer in which the artist’s body was kept was also functioning, and its temperature was properly maintained. Later, when a technician was called to inspect it, he found that one of the freezers’ coils had a minor issue, which was subsequently repaired,” said Dr Ashwani Kumar, HoD, Forensic Department.
Family members and artistes condemned the episode as a “heart-wrenching administrative failure” and demanded an immediate inquiry by the government.
Davinder Singh Jugni, president of Jugni Cultural and Welfare Club and the Folklore Fraternity Federation, stated, “We have informed the Punjab Health Minister’s office about the incident. The body was not preserved properly. Even basic procedures like placing cotton in the nose and ears were ignored, leading to bloating and making the cremation process extremely difficult.”
Bagga’s last rites were performed at Mundi Kharar cremation ground, where his son Karampreet Bagga, daughter Parkaram, and daughter-in-law Sheetal lit the funeral pyre on Sunday. Actor Shavinder Mahal, lyricist Sammi Tapprianwala, Gopal, Narinder Nina, singer Hardip Singh, Gurinder Garry, actress Mannat Bajwa and actor Darshan Aulakh were among those who paid their last respects.
Artist Charanjit Singh said, “This is not just the loss of one artist, but of the entire music world. Bagga ji kept the soul of Punjab alive through the melody of algoza and his art will remain eternal.”
Civil Surgeon Dr Sangeeta Jain said, “The matter has come to my attention. Strict action will be taken wherever negligence is found.”
Cultural organisations are planning to complain to the Chief Minister and the Governor, demanding action against those responsible for the incident.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
