Pune: Uruli Kanchan Villagers Demand End to Political Speeches During Dashkriya Rituals

Uruli Kanchan, 10th July 2024: Villagers in Uruli Kanchan are demanding an end to political speeches during the Dashkriya ritual, which marks the tenth day after a person’s death. Frustrated by the continuous speeches, the villagers have put up banners at three locations in the crematorium area, calling for an end to this practice.

In Hindu culture, the Dashkriya ritual is significant as it symbolizes the attainment of salvation for the departed soul. However, it has increasingly become a platform for political leaders from Uruli Kanchan and other rural areas to criticize each other during these solemn occasions. The common citizens attending the ritual, along with the deceased’s relatives, are visibly weary of these speeches. The banners explicitly demand an immediate halt to these speeches during the mourning period.

The banners emphasize that the occasion of death and the tenth day after should be respected as times of sorrow and homage, rather than being exploited for political gains. They call upon the elder members present to prevent emotional manipulation and urge political leaders to cooperate with the sentiments of the people.

The discontent among the villagers of Uruli Kanchan is evident, as they question whether the Dashkriya ritual has now become merely a political gathering spot. This phenomenon is observed not just locally but across rural areas nationwide, where such rituals are increasingly dominated by political speeches rather than sincere condolences.

Villagers express frustration that instead of consoling the grieving family and paying respects to the departed, political leaders often monopolize the event with lengthy and sometimes irrelevant speeches. This has led to a situation where attending these rituals has become burdensome for the family and relatives of the deceased.

Alankar Kanchan, a member of the District Planning Committee, criticized the excessive speeches during Dashkriya rituals, noting that many local political leaders deliver speeches without genuinely addressing the family’s concerns or offering assistance. He commended the initiative of whoever erected the banners, reflecting the community’s exhaustion with the political rhetoric that has marred these solemn occasions.