“A truly universal man”

Dakhma reformer Dhun Baria’s fame and crusades continue to hog the national and international media. An article on the diminutive qawwali singer by the Associated Press (AP) wire service appeared in numerous newspapers in North America and elsewhere. In addition national television news channels such as NDTV and IBN-CNN created a stir, especially when a video of the bodies lying in the towers of silence was telecast by NDTV. The images of corpses were blurred so as not to further offend sensitivities. The IBN-CNN website features the video with a cautionary note that viewer discretion be exercised before viewing the disturbing film.

"It is a terrible sight,” AP quoted Baria as saying, "The dead have no dignity.”

Tagore: invited by Reza Shah

The Afternoon Despatch and Courier issue of September 14 in its fortnightly humorous WAPIZ Page carries an illustration of Baria as a qawwali queen flanked by her alleged supporters.

"Baria and a handful of pro-cremation lobbyists hanging on to her dupatta are left facing a dead end. The community is united in its defence of dakhmenashini,” states the write up.