Irani’s ‘Pallbearer’ Image Smashes a Taboo – More Are Waiting

When many women are still not allowed to participate in even their own parents’ last rites, Irani breaks a taboo.

Elections may be done and dusted, but some conventions have withstood the test of time in India. Especially customs that uphold the exclusion of women. The image of Member of Parliament Smriti Irani shouldering the plinth bearing the body of her slain former aid and party worker Surendhra Singh, challenges one such convention, and it is high time.

Smriti Irani’s action of fronting the funeral procession as pallbearer signals the guts to break ancient taboos – cremations being just one of them. There’s many more that come to mind.

#WATCH BJP MP from Amethi, Smriti Irani lends a shoulder to mortal remains of Surendra Singh, ex-village head of Barauli, Amethi, who was shot dead last night. pic.twitter.com/jQWV9s2ZwY

— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2019