About the
Centre and Webinar
Centre for Advanced Study in International Humanitarian Law?(CASH) is an esteemed research centre of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), which is dedicated to research in the field of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The centre invites you all to attend the said event which is being organised in collaboration with the Temple of Understanding (United Nations-affiliated NGO). This interfaith dialogue will explore the concerns affecting the disposal of dead bodies and the profound impact it may have on the bereaved families whose loved ones are cremated against their faith or beliefs to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (RGNUL)
About Temple of Understanding
Temple of Understanding (TOU), an
initiative born out of a realization that the world was in grave danger
unless the gifts, wisdom, and insights of religious traditions could be
recognized and cultivated to promote positive social change. Juliet Hollister
founded TOU in 1960 with an aim to make this world beautiful and peaceful with
the help of assimilation and tolerance.
The Theme of the Event
The pandemic has affected not only
the way we live but also our deaths. India is inching towards the 15,00,000
mark in terms of the total number of COVID-19 cases. With many health
facilities, frontline health care, and death care workers becoming overwhelmed,
it may lead to undermining the process of proper handling of bodies of persons
confirmed or believed to have died due to COVID-19. Dignified treatment forms
the core of the obligations under international human rights and humanitarian
laws – the proper disposal of dead bodies being a crucial aspect of this.
International law reserves high respect for the dead and also imposes general
obligations for the location, identification, and burial of bodies as important
humanitarian acts. (RGNUL)
The Indian Constitution under
Article 21 envisages the right to life and liberty to the people. This
encompasses the right to live with human dignity. Moreover, on better
understanding, the right is extended to provide dignified treatment and
disposal of the dead bodies – also applicable to COVID-19 patients. The dignity
of a human body must remain preserved even after death. This discussion is an
endeavour to explore possibilities that will help develop a good practice to
cope with the present scenario and to learn from each other best practices that
should be adopted to tide over this grim crisis.(RGNUL)
Our Objectives
- Spread awareness and knowledge about the
rituals and rites of the dead from different faiths.
- Stress on the existing obligation under
national and international laws for dignified disposal of the dead.
- Develop consensus on good practices for the
disposal of the dead keeping in mind the guidelines of the Government of
India and International standards.
- Identify gaps in policy formulation and
approach meaningful implementation for the management of the dead in
India.
- Lead a more informed approach for handling of
the dead and pace India towards responsive governance interfaith.
Keynote Speakers
The speakers at the event include
some of the most profound scholars and gurus from different religious faiths:
- Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Jew, Head of
the Jewish Community, New Delhi.
- Dr. Shernaz Cama, Zoroastrian, Associate
Professor at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University
- Dr. Mohinder Singh, Sikh, Professor, and
Director of the National Institute of Punjab Studies, New
Delhi.
- Dr. A. K. Merchant, Baha’i, General
Secretary, Temple of Understanding India Foundation.
- Swami Swantamananda, Hindu, Head – Ramakrishna
Mission, Delhi Center.
- Venerable Geshe Dorji Damdul, Buddhist,
Director, Tibet House, New Delhi
- Dr. Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, Islam, Founder
President of the Interfaith Harmony Foundation of India.
- Fr. Felix Jones, Christian, Catholic
Priest serving the Archdiocese of Delhi
- Dr. M. Elif Günçe Eskiköy, Forensic Specialist,
ICRC
- Acharya Vivek Muni Maharaj, Jain, President of
the International Mahavir Jain Mission, New Delhi
Details of the Event
Date: 6th August
2020
Time: 3:30 PM (IST) Onwards
Platform: CISCO Webex
Registration Link
Kindly Register yourself here.
The brochure and the event poster
is attached below (RGNUL). Further details will be shared after
registration.
Contact Information
In case of any query,
contact.
Dr. Sangeeta Taak: +91-9872777330
(RGNUL)
Mr. Vijay Mishra: +91-8081010391
Ms. Vijaya
Singh: +91-8289013215
Email-id: rgnulcash@gmail.com