Muslims arrange for cremation of Hindu youth in Malda village

Muslim men arranged for the cremation of a youth from an impoverished Hindu family at a Muslim-majority village observing all rituals, including chanting of the name of gods, during the youth's last journey to the burning ghat in Malda district today.
Biswajit Rajak of Shekhpura village in Manikchak block died last night after a prolonged fight with liver cancer throwing his poor family into a crisis as it had neither the financial means nor manpower to perform the last rights.
The family huddled around Biswajit's body thinking what to do when a few Muslim neighbours came forward and offered help.

They carried the body on a bamboo cot, as is the custom, and walked eight km in a procession to the burning ghat chanting "Ram nam satya hai" and "Bolo Hari Hari bol" all the way.
Inspired by the gesture, Malda Zilla Parishad saha-sabhadhipati (vice-chairman) Gaur Mondal himself joined the cortege.
Later, the Muslim pall-bearers said, "Hindus and Muslims are like two sons of the same mother. We have to look after one another. This will set an example before the country.