According to tradition, sons, grandsons, and other male members of the family possess the right to perform the last rites of a person. However, times are changing and women are reclaiming this right. Earlier, Mandira Bedi performed her husband’s last rites and was showered tremendous support after she was criticized for doing the same.
And now, CDS General Bipin Rawat’s daughters performed his last rites yesterday. General Rawat lost his life along with his wife and 11 other military personnel in a chopper crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district on Wednesday, reports Hindustan Times.
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In the funeral ceremony, CDS Rawat received a 17-gun salute in line with protocol and 800 service personnel took part. His funeral pyre was lit by his daughters Kritika and Tarini. The ceremony took place in Brar Square crematorium, Delhi. Here’s a video of the incident:
It is rather incredible to see women shattering regressive patriarchal norms which dictates that they cannot be a part of the cremation ceremony. For long, women were expected to mourn at home while the male members of the family went to the crematorium and performed the last rites.
The country is mourning today. But CDS General Bipin Rawat leaves an example for us to follow.