Thane: Ulhasnagar Muslims rue lack of burial ground

MUMBAI: The Muslim community of Ulhasnagar is deeply anxious over the lack of a basic amenity. The town with a population of approximately one lakh Muslims does not have a single burial ground for the community.
Almost 45 years after a plot was allotted in 1974, the community still has to travel 5km away to Ambarnath to inter its dead. The authorities there have now signalled reluctance to continue this favour given their own requirements.

Powerful builders are reportedly working to get the existing reservation cancelled as their prestigious housing projects nearby could be devalued.

The municipal commissioner says he plans to allot an alternate site but that is located near an ancient Shiva temple and could cause conflict with the local residents.

Local activist Akhlak Khan said, "All other communities have plots to inter their dead. There is a cemetery for animals also. Only we are deprived. A plot labelled Survey no 58 was demarcated in 1974 and notified in 2006 but has still not been handed over." In 2017, a social worker named Anil Kumar bicycled all the way to New Delhi to highlight this grievance before the Central government.

Amar Joshi, former secretary of the Ulhasnagar City District Congress Committee said, "Some months ago the community protested by leading two corpses to the municipal commissionerate and holding a dharna outside. Those two bodies were buried in Survey 58. But local residents who were unaware that the plot was demarcated as a graveyard, protested. The process was stalled once more."

UMC commissioner Rajendra Nimbalkar said, "We had identified a few plots for the Muslim graveyard. In fact the process to hand over the most appropriate site was under way. Unfortunately, the development plan (DP) of 2017 has been rejected by the council, else this proposal would have been passed sooner. But I am requesting members to make an exception for the burial ground and permit its allotment to fulfil the longstanding need of the Muslim community."

Nimbalkar says that the plot most suitable for the cemetery is located in Kailash Colony. However, Khan points out that this site is right beside an ancient Shiva temple where Shivratri festivities are held with great pomp and show. "Do you think residents of that locality will permit our graveyard nearby?" he says.

Nimbalkar replied, "They need not worry. We will handle it peacefully. In fact they should not raise and discuss about this (matter) to avoid problems."