MP: Dalit man forcefully carries 5-yr-old son's body on handcart

When the family members asked the hospital administration to provide a hearse vehicle for carrying the body to their home, the administration replied that they did not have a vehicle. They asked the family to make their own arrangements.

Representational image: PTI

New Delhi: In a recent incident, a Dalit family from Bundelkhand region had to carry their five-year old son's body on a handcart from the hospital to their home. The incident which occurred on Thursday night shows the deteriorating condition of health services in the region. Gajendra Ahirwar, 5-year-old, died while undergoing treatment at the Buxwaha community health center. When the family members asked the hospital administration to provide a hearse vehicle for carrying the body to their home, the administration replied that they did not have a vehicle. They asked the family to make their own arrangements for taking the body despite the fact that their home was one and a half kilometers away from the hospital. However, the family took the child's body to the home on a handcart. Gajendra's uncle while speaking about their helplessness said that they do not have any vehicle of their own and neither does the hospital so they are taking the body on a handcart. While commenting on the matter Buxwaha tehsildar Vineeta Jain said that she had enquired about the incident from the BMO. They told her that there is no hearse vehicle at the hospital or with the Nagar panchayat but a resolution to purchase a hearse vehicle has been passed by the panchayat.