Hindu, Muslim communities join hands to cremate village elder in MP

Despite the communal tension gripping parts of Sendhwa town and its neighbouring Khargone district, in a touching gesture, people from both Hindu and Muslim communities came together to cremate a person who had no family members left.

Despite the communal tension gripping parts of Sendhwa town and its neighbouring Khargone district, in a touching gesture, people from both Hindu and Muslim communities came together to cremate a person who had no family members left.

People from Dawal Baidi Mohalla, Sendhwa, cremate Sitaram at the Sendhwa crematorium on Saturday. (HT photo)

Ganesh Rathore, district general secretary of BJP and a resident of Dawal Baidi, said that Sitaram, 75, died on Friday in Dawal Baidi Mohalla following an illness.

After this, people from both communities came together to participate in his funeral procession and cremate him with full honour at the Sendhwa crematorium.

Locals believe that this heart-warming display of communal harmony is a fitting reply to individuals looking to spread communal tension in the area.

Vikas Arya, the son of cabinet minister Anter Singh Arya, also contributed to the rituals by giving wood for cremation, said Sitaram had been looked after by his neighbours after his sister’s death three years ago. 15 families used to provide for food and medicines for him by turn.

Sher Khan, 48, a neighbour, said that Sitaram was treated like an elder family member despite their differing religions.

Another Babar Khan, resident of Dawal Baidi Mohalla and employee of Sendhwa municipality, said despite tensions in Khargone and some parts of Sendhwa, they lived in harmony in the village.