HC gives state 6 months to set up kabrastan in Margao

Panaji: Stating that the Muslim community is in “dire need of space for its kabrastan” and pointing out that acquisition of 30,100 sqm of land at Sonsoddo for establishing one was completed in 2011, the high court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed the PWD and the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) to undertake and complete works of providing a full-fledged kabrastan as expeditiously as possible and within six months.
“…even after 11 years there is no kabrastan at the acquired site,” the HC stated.
“Presently, we are at the stage where the state administration is keen to provide a kabrastan at this site. Still, after having supported this site for the last several years, the MMC has suddenly made a volte-face, attempted to question the feasibility of the site, and in short, expressed reluctance to establish a kabrastan at a site acquired for this very purpose almost 11 years ago,” the HC stated.
It expressed surprise by the submission of the member secretary of the South Goa Planning and development Authority referring to earmarking of a portion of the acquired land for low cost housing and for setting up a 33kV electrical substation.
“This issue has been pending at least since October 2009 when the National Commission for Minorities drew the attention of the atate administration towards the acute lack of place for burials of those professing the Muslim and allied faiths,” the court stated.
“However, for the past 11 years, despite the state administration and the MMC not once doubting or questioning the dire necessity of a kabrastan, no such kabrastan is provided either due to inactivity and bureaucratic obscurantism or for something more than what meets the eye.”
The PIL was filed by Sayed Manzoor Aslam Kadri and, after he passed away, pursued by his son Muzaffar Manzoor Kadri thereafter highlighting shortage of 43 crematoria, 50 cemeteries and 172 kabrastans in Goa and seeking their establishment, upkeep and maintenance.