A controversy has surfaced in Sri Vijaya Puram over a reported proposal to lease out land said to be used as a Hindu cremation or burial ground near Foreshore Road, with a socio-religious organisation urging authorities to halt any move to commercialise the site.
Hindu Rashtra Shakti (HRS) has submitted a formal representation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, senior Ministry of Home Affairs officials, and local district authorities, raising objections to what it describes as a plan to use the land for a restaurant-cum-bar.
In its representation, the organisation argued that land associated with cremation or burial carries religious and cultural significance and should not be diverted for commercial purposes. It maintained that such spaces are linked to last rites and faith practices and therefore require special protection under law and custom.
The group also questioned whether due administrative and legal procedures had been followed before initiating any proposal related to the site. It contended that diversion of land historically used for cremation or burial would require proper de-notification, approval from competent authorities, and consideration of public sentiment.
The representation further raised concerns over jurisdictional issues, stating that municipal bodies cannot independently authorise activities related to liquor service, which fall under separate excise regulations. It called any presumption of “bar” usage in municipal-level proposals an overreach if not backed by the appropriate licensing framework.
HRS has sought that any tendering or leasing process connected to the site be kept in abeyance pending a detailed review. It has also asked authorities to make public all relevant records, including the official land status, past usage, municipal resolutions, approvals, and expenditure incurred in connection with the proposal.
The organisation stated that its objection was not directed against development or tourism, but against what it described as development undertaken without adherence to legal procedures and sensitivity to religious practices. It said commercial use of land meant for last rites would be inappropriate, particularly if linked to liquor-related activity.
The representation has also called for fixing responsibility if any officials are found to have acted without proper jurisdiction or lawful sanction. It urged clear policy directions to ensure that land used for cremation or burial is not diverted for commercial purposes.
The issue has been flagged at multiple administrative levels, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees governance in the Union Territory. As of now, there has been no official public response from the municipal authorities or the Administration regarding the status of the land or the reported proposal.
The matter is likely to draw wider attention as questions are raised over land use, administrative procedure and the balance between urban development and protection of culturally sensitive spaces in the Islands.
