SDPI, PFI activists perform last rites of Hindu woman

Bantwal: In a heart-warming gesture, SDPI and PFI activists volunteered to perform the last rites of a poor Hindu woman, after her relatives and community members distanced themselves from performing the same.

The deceased, Susheelamma, 65, is a resident of Siddakatte and is survived by two sons and two daughters. However, all of them are financially weak.

Reportedly, Susheelamma had been admitted to Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru as she had taken sick. She got discharged on Saturday itself as her health condition showed improvement, and her sons decided to take her home. However, she again fell sick later the same day and passed away shortly after.

Susheelamma's children informed their relatives about her demise and sought assistance in performing her last rites, but none of them came forward to extend any help. It is gathered that the relatives had distanced themselves from Susheelamma as she had married her daughter to a youth from another religion. With no assistance coming forth from anyone, the woman's mortal remains was kept at home till around 9 pm, until finally, SDPI and PFI activists came to know about the ordeal of the deceased's family members.

The activists, initially, urged the local Hindu leaders to help the family conduct the woman's' last rites but as they too did not oblige they themselves arranged for the cremation. An ambulance was called for and the body taken to the Badakabail crematorium where the last rites was performed according to the traditions.

SDPI zonal president, A K Mustafa, PFI zonal president, Ashraf Nadugudde, zonal committee president, Zainuddin Pandel, Nazeer Kelaginamane, Shafique Gudde, and others attended the funeral ceremony.