Upper castes at Pampore martyr’s own village balk at giving public land for his funeral

[Areesh]

GRA/FIROZABAD: While the entire nation mourned the CRPF men who were killed in the militant attack at Pampore on Saturday, an unseemly display of caste prejudice halted constable Vir Singh's funeral at his village, Nagla Kewal in Shikohabad, Firozabad district.

Upper castes of the village refused to allow a public land to be used for the cremation of the slain soldier, who is from the Nat(acrobats) community. It was only after the intervention of district officials that villagers agreed to give up a 10 by 10 metre plot for the last rites.

The incident took place on Sunday afternoon, when the family of the slain soldier wished to erect a statue of him near village road at a public land, where every year local fair takes place during festive times.

Speaking to TOI, the gram Pradhan of the village, Vijay Singh of Kanthari gram panchayat said, "In the morning, the local villagers had raised objections over martyred soldier's family's demand to cremate his body on public land and then erect a statue of him. But later, after long hours of talk with SDM, the villagers agreed to respect the family demand."

The 52-year-old Vir Singh was the sole bread earner of his family, who joined CRPF in 1981. His family stays in approximate 500 sq foot one room set home with tin shed as roof. He left behind his three children, including a 22-year daughter (Rajni) who is pursuing MSc and two sons - 18-year-old son (Ramandeep) pursuing BSc and 16-year-old (Sandeep) who just cleared intermediate.



When TOI contacted SDM Shikohabad, Chandra Bhan, he said, "We have resolved every matter and the entire district will pay respectful homage to our brave soldier." By the time this report was filed, Vir Singh's body was yet to arrive at his native home. Zila Panchayat president Vijay Pratap Yadav announced to build grand stone gateway at the entrance of village in the remembrance of slain soldier.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...land-for-his-funeral/articleshow/52927675.cms

 

[Echo_419]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...land-for-his-funeral/articleshow/52927675.cms

Good to see the issue was resolved

 

[baajey]

this is unfair to the upper caste guys .
seriously though, well done to the authorities who defused the situation at the right time.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Couldn't get respect and dignity even even dying for his country ..