Drama unfolds over donation of late CPI(M) leader's body to govt hospital amid family dispute
Kochi (PTI): Dramatic scenes unfolded at the Ernakulam town hall, where the mortal remains of CPI(M) leader M M Lawrence were kept for public homage, as the late leader's daughter protested the decision to hand over his body to the Government Medical College Hospital here.
The unexpected events occurred after Asha moved the Kerala High Court, challenging the decision of her siblings to donate their father's body to the medical college for educational purposes.
The High Court, after considering the plea, directed the Kalamassery Medical College authorities to hear the objections and take a decision in accordance with the Kerala Anatomy Act.
The court also instructed the college to preserve the body for the time being at the mortuary.
In her petition, the daughter claimed that her father had been baptized and that all his children were baptized in the church.
She further alleged that her siblings along with the Communist party were attempting to project him as an atheist.
Two of Lawrence's children had previously given their consent to handing over the body to the medical college.
Lawrence died on September 21 at the age of 95.
Meanwhile, the ruling CPI(M) clarified that it has no role in the matter.
Whether to hand over the body to the medical college or bury it in a church is a decision for the family, the party said.
CPI(M) district secretary K A Salim said that the decision to hand over the body to the medical college was made by his son.
The court's decision came as the Medical College authorities reached the town hall to take possession of the body.
Asha, the complainant in the case, protested as the body was being handed over to the Medical College authorities amidst chanting of slogans by CPI(M) workers who had gathered to pay their last respects to the departed leader.
Lawrence's son said he decided to hand over the body for medical studies as per his father's last wish.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Congress should protest against Rahul Gandhi, says Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu
Jaipur (PTI): Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Monday defended his remarks against the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying Congress should protest against Gandhi instead.
Responding to Gandhi's statements during his recent visit to the United States regarding reservations in India, Bittu had said, "Rahul Gandhi himself goes to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib so many times. Who stops him? Therefore, this is not a matter of the party, it is above the party."
Following this, the Congress party workers earlier on Monday staged a protest against Bittu at the CBI gate here for his statement. Police detained them and left them at a different location.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said in a statement that the arrest of Rajasthan Congress workers protesting against the violent statement made by Union Minister Ravneet Bittu against the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is condemnable.
"In a democracy, showing black flags and raising slogans while following the security norms is a part of the democratic process. Ravneet Bittu should apologise to the entire country for his statement," Gehlot said.
Earlier today, talking to the reporters at the Jaipur airport, Bittu said, "Name a person who has stopped us from wearing a bracelet. Who has stopped us from wearing a turban? Who has stopped us from going to the Gurudwara? Therefore, if Congress has to protest, it should protest against Rahul Gandhi."
"It is not about Congress or BJP. It is about Punjab and Sikhs," he said.
Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the United States had said, "The fight (in India) is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a turban...whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a kada or go to the Gurudwara. That's what the fight is about, and it's not just for Sikhs, but for all religions".
Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu had come to inaugurate the 57th Inter Railway Shooting Competition at Jagatpura Shooting.
