The inmates of Byculla women jail too are preparing to end their month-long fast and celebrate Eid.
The jail cook has been asked to prepare a feast for Eid as the women will have their first proper meal after a month.
Every day, the inmates who are not observing Ramzan help those
who are fasting with their chores.
"In jails, it does not matter which religion one belongs to. Hindu women participate fully in Muslim festivities and vice versa," said a jailor of Byculla prison, on condition of anonymity.
A total of 32 women of the 285 inmates in Byculla jail have been fasting during Ramzan. Sources said several women observing Ramzam are regretting their deeds for which they have landed behind bars.
And during the holy month, they have pledged to keep the law and are also convincing other inmates to lead a crime-free life. The women observing Ramzan are served breakfast at 4.30 am as their meal before sunrise (saheri). After that, they go back to their cells and emerge only at 6 pm for iftar. "Usually, at the Byculla women's jail the breakfast is served at 7.30am and the lunch is served at 11.30 am. The inmates are allowed to buy their food or take extra with them in case they want to eat later,” said S. Karnik, Byculla jail superintendent.
The dinner is served around 4.30 pm. Most of the inmates carry extra food with them to their cells as they feel hungry in the evening or during night," Karnik added.
The inmates who are fasting are provided with heavy breakfast for their meal before sunrise along with tea or coffee. And for their meal for breaking fast they are given fruit (dates), dal-rice and roti and bhaji (vegetable).