Reaping the Whirlwind

It seems the impugned order was issued without applying the mind to its wider and volatile implications, because it runs blatantly counter to the fundamental rights relating to religion guaranteed under the UN Charter.

Compulsory cremation of Muslims is not only preposterous but also fraught with incendiary potential. Though, any tremors of the volcano it hides have not yet been felt in Sri Lanka, yet it is certain that if the government uses force to implement its orders, the volcano will erupt. And if it does so, Sri Lanka would be crimson in blood, as there would be no question that the Muslim population of the country would resist the implementation of the order tooth and nail and with the frenzy of a “holy war.”

Use of force by the state would be a sure recipe for bloodshed because this could lead to communal clashes between the Sinhala (Buddhist) and Muslim inhabitants of the country.

Amazingly, even in this day and age, the president of a civilized country did not consider it appropriate to volunteer a public justification for his senseless action as it aims to upend one of the fundamental funeral rites of the Muslims.

However, a dead Muslim is always required to be buried. That is the funeral rite prescribed by Islam. Any other method of disposing of the body of a dead Muslim would be contrary to his faith. There is no scope of any compromise on this issue.

The cremation that President Rajapaksa has ordered is out of the question for the Muslims to follow. Compelling the Muslim population to adopt a religious practice that is against one of their cardinal religious injunctions, would be as unacceptable to the Muslims as giving up on one of their basic religious beliefs.

Though the news has not yet percolated fully about how Sri Lankan Muslims have responded to the cremation order, but defiance of the order and resisting its enforcement would seem to be the safest bet. Compliance would be unimaginable because it would tantamount to yielding to the impugned order.

The issue also falls within the ambit of the United Nation’s cognizance insofar as it relates to Muslim fundamental rights. In fact, it needs the UN’s urgent attention because enforcement of President Rajapaksa’s crazy order for compulsory cremation of Muslims after their death could ignite violent protests in Sri Lanka and plunge the country into a bloodbath.

Equally importantly, this crass and callous encroachment on Muslim religious practice calls for attention of the OIC. The Organisation should take up the issue with the government of Sri Lanka through diplomatic channels as well as at the UN Security Council because any serious eruption of communal violence in Sri Lanka poses a threat to regional peace.

Every effort must be made to dissuade the Sri Lankan president from pursuing this disastrous course against his Muslim subjects. In fact, President Rajapaksa should take some time out to explain to his Muslim people why he prefers for Muslims to be cremated, especially because burial is a universal practice as a form of disposal of dead bodies. Cremation has only a limited following.

The uncalled for irritant to the Muslims of Sri Lanka is purely Rajapaksa’s brainchild though he may have been ill-advised. However, what prodded him to disturb the placid waters of a peaceful society is beyond comprehension. The fact remains that while President Rajapaksa has sown the wind, he must now prepare to reap the whirlwind.