National Human Rights Commission: Taking suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that a Government Higher Secondary School, named ‘Adarsh’, at Gandhi Sawairam Village in Alwar district is located on a funeral ground which forces the school authorities to close the school every time a cremation takes place, the Commission issued notice to the Rajasthan Government and asked to respond within 4 weeks.
Noting it as a bizarre situation, the Commission has observed that the contents of the news report indicate total ignorance, negligence and inaction by the Department of Education of the State and the local administration. Educational Institutions and crematoria are an integral part of society but it sounds unethical that both are existing and functional in the same premises. The body of a deceased person deserves to be cremated in a dignified manner and the Right to Education of the school students is also to be protected as well. Therefore, it is necessary that the school and the cremation ground be separated by shifting either of the two to another suitable place.