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Taking cognisance of a complaint over several dead bodies found floating in Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring Bihar, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the chief secretaries of both states and also the secretary to Union Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation) on Thursday. The NHRC has asked for an action taken report within four weeks.
Issuing the notices, the Commission observed that it seemed the public authorities have failed to take concentric efforts in educating the masses and checking immersion of half burnt or unburnt dead bodies into Ganga river. The practice of disposal of dead bodies in the sacred Ganga river is clearly in violation of guidelines of National Mission for Clean Ganga project of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.  
The NHRC also noted that The River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016, which relates to the measures for prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution in the river and to ensure continuous adequate flow of water so as to rejuvenate the river to its natural and pristine condition and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, has laid down not only comprehensive principles to be followed for rejuvenation, protection and management of Ganga river but also cast a duty that no person shall do any act or carry on any project or process or activity which, notwithstanding whether such act has been mentioned in this order or not, has the effect of causing pollution in Ganga river.  
A complainant dated May 11 based on several media reports expressed apprehensions that these dead bodies were of Covid victims, hence their disposal in such a manner might seriously affect all those dependent on the holy river for their day to day activities. It was further stated that even if these dead bodies were not of Covid victims, then such practice/incidents are shameful to the society as a whole as that amounts to violation of human rights of even the deceased. The complainant requested the Commission’s intervention for strict action against negligent public authorities, who failed to prevent such incidents.