Homeless forced to live under open skies, next to funeral pyres

Hundreds of people were bidding farewell to their loved ones at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat on February 5 around 5 pm. Many bodies were burning.

Nigambodh Ghat, one of the biggest crematoriums of the Capital, is not only a place for the dead but this year it has also turned into a place for the homeless.

During rains and other severe weather conditions, many homeless people, who lost their temporary homes during G-20 spent their nights beside the pyres.

“During the three days of rain, we went to the cremation ground and spent the night there,” said Chhotu, a homeless who lives nearby on the Yamuna Pusta. 

“We sleep in the crematorium even though there is a lack of space.”

The homeless, belonging to different parts of the country, have been living here for many years and work as labourers.

Chhotu and others work inside the crematorium as labourers. 

To protect themselves from heavy cold, they collect the wood left over from the funeral pyre and burn it the whole night.

Every year, the government and an NGO set up rain basera (night shelter) here but they didn’t this time due to construction. So, the labourers have been forced to live under the open sky, amid severe cold of Delhi. Some NGOs have come for distribution of food.

“All was good till last year. We got pillows, blankets, food and other facilities here. But not this time,” said Pawan, who was sitting helplessly on a wall.

“Now there is nothing for the poor. We sleep here, what can we do if we feel cold!” said Pawan, who hails from Odisha and works in marriage functions.

The story of every individual, who lives here, is the same. Everyone is living in very inhuman conditions. 

Despite the government’s claim of good management for the homeless people, their situation remains horrible and hundreds of them have died in the national capital.