In a first, Doms at Kashi146;s ghats refuse cremation work

As cremation work halted here for several hours, local residents called it a first in the history of the ghats. 8220;Cremation is a continuous process in Kashi as the fire that burns the dead is never allowed to go out,8221; said Krishna Lal at Manikarnika Ghat.

8220;We have never done something like this,8217;8217; said Dom leader Ram Darshan Choudhari. 8216;8216;But this is the first time that a member of our clan has fallen a victim to this city8217;s worsening law and order situation.8217;8217;

According to him, the administration has assured the community that the people they suspect to have been behind the murder will be arrested within 24 hours. 8220;If they fail, we will take a fresh decision on how to put pressure on the administration,8217;8217; Choudhari said.

The trouble began when the retired jailer was shot dead on Saturday evening in an area under Varanasi8217;s Chandrawati police station. 8216;8216;Ramadhar was the brother-in-law of Jamun Devi, the widow of the deceased Dom king Kailash Choudhari. Since Kailash is no longer in this world, we have ensured that every care is taken of his widow8212;we regularly send her a share of the earnings from the cremations. We have great regard for her,8217;8217; said Suresh Choudhari, who performs cremation works at Manikarnika Ghat.

According to Hindu mythology, the services of the Doms, who handle corpses at the cremation ground, are indispensable for the release of the souls of the dead. Bodies are brought here for cremation from all parts of the country as it is a belief that anyone who ends his or her earthly cycle in Kashi is transported directly to heaven.