Sikhs Want Permission to Scatter Ashes of the Dead in River

August 8, 2006

Source: The Times of India

Wire Service: IANS

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1874310.cms

On August 8, 2006 the Indo-Asian News Service reported, "Sikh campaigners in Britain have applied for a licence to allow them scatter ashes of their dead in the river Ribble as the ritual is an important part of their funeral ceremony. A report in the Mirror newspaper quoted one of the campaigners, Charanjit Singh Heera, as saying, 'We believe people should be put back into the water as all water flows as one. We would love a place to say our goodbyes.' Sikhs have been using waterways in Britain, though it is not officially allowed. Many others take the ashes to India to perform the ceremony. 'It is something we will consider,' the British environment agency was quoted as saying."