Communal harmony and inter community bonhomie still exists in Kashmir and it was once again demonstrated by the members of Muslims and Sikhs in Tral area of Pulwama district who participated in the last rites of an elderly Kashmiri Pandit woman.
Jigri, a 90-year-old woman who stayed in her native village of Midora in the Tral area even after the rise of militancy in 1990, passed away in the village on Tuesday.As soon as the news of her death spread in the area, hundreds of people — Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus –assembled at her family home to help with the last rites, officials said. The woman passed away at her ancestral village, where her family had continued to live despite the onset of militancy in Kashmir, unlike many Pandit families who migrated from the Valley during that period.
Her death drew widespread grief in Midora, where she was known and respected across communities, locals said.Her mortal remains were consigned to flames at the local crematorium. A resident, Ayatollah, said, “She was our mother, and we are all mourning her. You can see Sikhs, Pandits and Muslims are all assembled here in grief.” He said Jigri’s family, including her husband, lived in harmony throughout the tumultuous period the valley went through over the past 35 years.
“Her husband was working as a hakeem (traditional health practitioner), and he would treat the people here for ailments. We would rarely need to see a doctor,” he said. You can see Sikhs, Pandits and Muslims are all assembled here in grief…”, the official said . Jigris family, including her husband, lived in harmony throughout the tumultuous period the valley went through over the past 35 years.Her husband was working as a hakeem traditional health practitioner, and he would treat the people here for ailments, he added giving further details about some instances of continuance of inter faith harmony post exodus of Pandit community outside Valley.
Locals said Muslims and Sikhs from the village and adjoining areas visited the bereaved family to express condolences and share in their grief. Hundreds joined the funeral proceedings and last rites, extending support to the family during the mourning period.They added that community members arranged wood required for the last rites and remained present with the family throughout the funeral rituals.The participation of Muslims and Sikhs in the funeral was seen by many in the village as a reflection of long-standing social bonds and mutual respect that have continued despite difficult periods witnessed in Kashmir over the decades.
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