Glimpse of brotherhood: Countless Muslims participate in funeral rites of Kashmiri Pandit

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.