Bengaluru: The second wave of coronavirus has hit India hard. It has spread its vast net across the country, claiming lives disdainfully. 

In Karnataka, as several people lost their lives, it is disheartening to know that the ashes of the victims were not claimed by their own kin. 

And as the urns lay unclaimed, numbering several hundreds, it was senior BJP leader R Ashoka who took up the immersion of the ashes in the river Cauvery on volition. 

 

After taking part in the ceremony, he said “This is the most emotional moment of my life. Traditionally, on the third day of the death, the family members immerse ashes in the river and I believe today that sacred and emotional task has come to me. Despite repeated requests, no family member collected the ashes. But as I follow the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, I chose to perform the ritual," as reported by Deccan Herald. 

 

Such a touching gesture has earned him several plaudits. 

Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji, head of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt praised him saying, "I am proud of our culture. It is my identity and personality. It gives me spiritual, intellectual and emotional strength. Sri R Ashoka, Revenue Minister of Karnataka performed immersion of ashes of the unclaimed bodies of people who died of Covid 19.  On Wednesday, he immersed ashes in the holy river Kaveri as part of last rites as per the tradition. This is a great tribute to those departed souls to rest in peace”. 

 

He was not the only one. Even Santosh BL, national organisational secretary of the BJP eulogised him for the selfless act. 

He said, “Today Karnataka Revenue Minister Sri @RAshokaBJP immerses 1200+ urns containing ashes of persons died due to #COVID19. These were urns that were left uncollected in various crematoriums of Bengaluru. Noble & humanitarian gesture. Take a bow Sir.” 

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It might be recalled that the Karnataka government had organised a mass cremation of the covid deceased. However, later, when the government urged the relatives to collect the ashes, many hesitated fearing stigma, thereby leading to a pile-up. 

What the senior BJP leader did just exhibits that caste, creed or credo need not have a negative bearing on the society. After all, we all are humans and must transcend such fetters.