Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 4: In yet another instance of communal harmony and brotherhood, the Muslim neighbours in the Ajar area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora today helped their Pandit brethren in performing the last rites of an elderly woman.
Rattan Rani Bhat (90) wife of Late Pandit Kashi Nath Bhat had died late last night after prolonged illness and upon hearing about the news of the demise of the lady-who has been living in the area for long-the Muslims of the area reached her residence and offered their condolences and stayed around until the last rites were performed.
“It is not happening for the first time; it has been a culture and norm here that we participate in each other’s happiness and sorrow; be it deaths, or marriages, we participate and make each other feel complete,” said Pyarelal Bhat, son of the deceased woman.
He said that the Muslims stayed around till the afternoon despite it being Friday. “They remained with us till the last rites were carried out,” he said, adding that such scenes are not only witnessed in Bandipora, “but you get to see such scenes all over Kashmir,” he said.
The local Muslims said that the husband of the deceased woman was a teacher and that he did everything possible in making sure that the children of the area get a quality education.
The local Muslims also said that they live with their Pandit brethren in peace and harmony and do not differentiate on any grounds. “I don’t see any difference between them and us as at the end of the day we are all humans,” the locals said.
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