Paidusts in the pandemic

It’s not surprising that during the Covid-19 pandemic, a debate over disposal of the dead is raging in the community. The Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed that corpses of Parsis who die from the coronavirus be enwrapped in plastic and cremated, not consigned to the Towers of Silence. For traditionalists who view dakhmenashini as an integral part of their religious beliefs, this has been heart-wrenching. How do they reconcile themselves to denying their loved ones their preferred mode of disposal? For generations, Parsis have been indoctrinated that cremation is irreligious because the corpse, naso, pollutes fire. Many believe any alternate method of disposal when a dakhma is accessible hinders the soul’s onward journey; that the spirit will remain in limbo between this world and the one beyond.

Citing opinions from the World Health Organization (WHO), traditionalists claim that corpses do not transmit the virus. An item in The Economic Times daily of May 19, 2020 stated that a BMC assistant medical officer filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court (BHC) averring "Cadavers do not transmit (the) Covid-19 disease." The officer cited the WHO guidelines that "dead bodies are generally not infectious." He further stated there was no evidence till date of any person being infected with Covid-19 from a dead body.

Writing from the UK where he is based and practices medicine, Dastur (Dr) Jamasp JamaspAsa sent an email dated June 5 to other priests and the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) stating, "The dignity of the dead, their cultural and religious traditions and their families should be respected and protected throughout… Body bags are not necessary...The body can be wrapped in cloth...No special transport equipment or vehicle is required...

"The potential problems I foresee are providing the (pallbearers) with the necessary PPE (personal protective equipment). More importantly, teaching the (pallbearers) to use the PPE appropriately may pose a challenge, but not an insurmountable one as it simply involves wearing masks, gloves and a gown and a face shield/eye protection...

"The second hurdle I foresee is the carrying out of the sachkar ceremony as this requires a fit and healthy family member with the help of the (pallbearers) to cleanse the body with taro and perform the kusti for the deceased. Full PPE will of course need to be provided for the family member, but they need to be willing to partake in this part of the ritual and that is a matter of personal preference...

"The third stumbling block, which is largely out of our control, is the unfortunate event that one of the (pallbearers or) members of staff tests positive for Covid-19 and Doongerwadi is quarantined for 15 days, thereby diverting all the paidusts elsewhere (crematorium)…The likelihood of the virus spreading through an asymptomatic living carrier attending a paidust is far greater than the risk of transmission from a corpse."

He makes no mention of the precautions to be taken by the priests who stand close by the body while reciting the prayers. One assumes they would also require PPE suits. There is also the distinct possibility that residents of the surrounding buildings may not take a sympathetic view of Covid infected corpses lying naked and exposed in their vicinity.

Neurosurgeon Dr Mazda Turel in his fortnightly column in the mid-day of June 14 describes how he sartorially prepares for surgery when operating on a Covid-19 patient, a much riskier proposition: "Getting dressed...requires regimental ferocity: we put on a pair of gloves, a cap and N95 mask, another surgical mask over it, a full white body suit, goggles, head gear...a face shield, and another pair of gloves... You need to walk gingerly, taking small steps lest you trip over something that isn’t visible to you."

These precautions may not be essential when sitting near a Covid corpse. Even so, who will guide the pallbearers, priests and family members on how to don the protective gear?

Perhaps a less risky alternative is the one approved by BPP trustee Noshir Dadrawala on the suggestion of Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal. The matter arose when a Godrej Baug resident expired on June 26 due to Covid-19 and his body had to be cremated (see "Not out of choice," Events and Personalities, page 10). "It was neither the desire of the deceased to be cremated nor was it the wish of his bereaved survivors," noted the trustee. "Cremation was… as per prevailing BMC protocol for all those who die of Covid-19...

"I received a call from Ervad Harvesp Madon (of S. F. Jokhi Agiary at Godrej Baug) whether as advised by… Kotwal, he as a priest, could simply stand facing the dakhma at Doongerwadi and recite the geh sarna prayers. Please note, the body would not be at Doongerwadi... Kotwal had told many of us that this used to be a custom in ancient times, especially during times of war and such calamities." Dadrawala gave the go-ahead but some of his co-trustees opposed the proposal and the prayers were not recited. "Why punish those who are cremated or buried against their choice?" he asked.

Traditionalist bloggers, The Parsee Voice disagreed. "We fail to understand what practical purpose is served by two priests reciting the geh sarna in front of the dakhma in the absence of the ritually prepared corpse. It is akin to conducting the ashirwad ceremony in Bombay of a Parsi couple sitting on their chairs in the USA!" wrote Rita F. Doctor, Ervad Bahadur Sanjana and Hanoz M. Mistry in a message that appeared on WhatsApp groups on June 28.

They added, "this practice... could be turned into a rule by a future set of trustees in all cases of cremation or burial...Our heart goes out to the unfortunates who have to perforce undergo cremation because they are afflicted by Covid and it is our combined religious duty and our collective responsibility to ensure that they get dakhmenashini. In this regard, let us all put our heads and efforts together to come up with a viable workable solution whereby the BPP are able to convince the BMC to change their stance, which will be a win-win situation for all concerned."

In the present climate of public fear and uncertainty, convincing the BMC or High Court judges to permit disposal of the dead in dakhmas is highly unlikely. Finding a via media as has been suggested by Kotwal, and favored by Dadrawala, may not be the perfect solution, but in these troubled times, whatever offers comfort to the bereaved should be implemented. The purpose of any religion is to offer solace, not cause misery.