Goa, July 31 -- ANTHONY RODRIGUES

Death is the only certainty in life. Yet in Goa, even the right to be laid to rest with dignity has become a political bargaining chip, entangled in reli gion, caste and vote-bank calculations. The question is simple and urgent: Does human ity come first, or do we continue to let religion and politics decide who gets space to be buried or cremated? It is a question the State Government can no longer avoid. Two years ago, the Goa Legislative Assem bly passed a Private Members' Bill calling for common burial and cre mation grounds. A Select Committee was appoint ed. It met twice. Substan tial work was done. And then. silence. The file went into cold storage due to what can only be called a lack of politica...