The
brotherhood between two communities was displayed in Jammu and Kashmir’s
Kupwara district when local Muslims of the area were seen participating in the
last rites of a Pandit woman.
During the
turmoil, Rita Kumari, 70,refused to leave the valley and stayed in the Lalpurah
area in the border town of Lolab. Locals say that when Kashmiri Pandits were
leaving Kashmir due to the unrest in the 1990s, Kumaridecided to live with the
Muslim community there.
When the
news of her death circulated in the area, a myriad number of Muslims
immediately her home and helped the family in performing the funeral rites.
Kumari’s
family alsounderlined that the harmony between Hindu-Muslim is flourishing in
the valley. They went on to send a message to Vivek Agnihotri, director of The
Kashmir Files, saying that one should “spread love instead of building a wall
of hatred”.
One
of the relatives of Rita Kumari, while shedding light on the Hindu-Muslim
brotherhood, said, “We are reminded of the days when we were involved in every
sorrow of Kashmiri Hindus. And when they had any festivals, Muslims used to
participate in them more and more. When there was a big day for Muslims,
Kashmiri Pandits used to participate in it. And the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood
was visible at all times. Muslims even say they are still eagerly waiting for
the return of Kashmiri Pandits.
