Family of octogenarian Hindu woman denies cremating her. Muslim man performs last rites
Warangal: The world wide sacrificial day ‘Bakrid’ was celebrated in a way of brotherhood in Hanamkonda when a Muslim stood for performing the funeral rites of an octogenarian Hindu woman whose relatives denied cremating her.
The deceased woman, Iloni Bondamma (85) has been staying at Sahrudaya Old-age Home situated at Prashanth Nagar in Kazipet in Warangal district. She was left alone after the demise of her husband Lakshmaiah some years back as the couple had no children. She died on Monday late night due to her ripe age.
Five years ago a person called Ch Ramesh of Kothurjanda in the city admitted her to the old-age home. “As we learnt that Bondamma has some relatives residing in the town we contacted them and informed them about the demise of the woman. But they expressed their inability to conduct her funeral rites in view of Ganesh Navaratri celebrations and other reasons” Mohammad Chotu, who runs the home said.
‘Therefore I decided to do the role of a son for Bondamma to perform her funeral and bid her soul final farewell’ he told The Hans India.
Early on the day Chotu duly visited a local Masjid and offered special prayers on the occasion of Bakrid (Eid-ul-Zuha) and for the soul of Bondamma. He along with his wife Yakub Bi and others took the body to Sivamuktidham burial ground near Padmakshi temple. ‘The funeral is conducted as per Hindu customs as the wish of Bondamma’ the couple informed.
Not only did Chotu prove humanity, Yakubee recently performed the role of a daughter and performed cremation ceremony of a 75 year old Hindu inmate at the home, K Srinivas whose son Sharath denied conducting funeral as he embraced Christianity.
“Serving the destitute is our religion and we respect the religious sentiments of our inmates even it is a festival day for us. It is a great opportunity given to us by God to serve the needy. Humanity is bigger than any religion,” the couple said.