Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 24: Setting yet another example of brotherhood and communal harmony, the Muslims of Batpora in the Tulmulla area of Ganderbal today assisted a family in performing the last rites of an elderly Kashmiri Pandit who died a natural death.
Bansi Lal Pandit (60), lovingly referred to as Kaka Ji-the man who didn’t like to be out of Kashmir and preferred to live in his native village despite so much happening around-breathed his last at his residence on Saturday evening.
Eyewitnesses said that as soon as the news of his death spread, people from across the village and other adjoining areas assembled at his residence while the locals assisted and arranged the last rites for Bansi Lal.
One of the locals, Manzoor Ahmad, said that Kaka Ji, being a neighbor, it was their duty to be present and assist during the last rites. He termed the deceased as a generous and kind-hearted person.
Sanullah Bhat, an elderly resident of the village who also participated in the last rites, said that Bansi Lal preferred to stay at his native place while his family members migrated during the 90s.
“He preferred to stay here and was well-connected with the locals of the area; we have always cherished having him around. I can say despite so much that has happened around, the brotherhood is intact because that’s what is imbibed in our culture and it will never fade away,” he said.
Another resident, Muhammad Shafi, said that Kaka Ji was filled with love for his motherland.
“He was a man with a pure heart; no malice at all; lived like any of us around. We have been waiting since morning to participate and arrange for his last rites because our religion teaches us that humanity comes first.”
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