Pulwama, May 8: Chaman Lal, 70, of Tahab area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district died yesterday evening. He never migrated and preferred to live in his native village.
Chaman Lal, who had been working in BSNL was a known figure in his village. He used to spend his time in the company of his Muslim friends.
Chaman Lal and his brother didn’t leave Tahab in 1990’s when majority of the Pandits in Tahab and adjoining villages including Trichal, Tamlahal, Navnagri migrated to Jammu and other places after the eruption of militancy in Valley.
The local Muslims organized and performed his last rites and mourned his death as one of their own. He was cremated at Tahab village. Amid Covid-19 pandemic, hundreds of Muslim villagers participated in his cremation.
The sons and daughter of the deceased Pandit arrived in the village from Jammu. They thanked Muslims for showing so much love and care.
“He was one among us. We never thought he was a Pandit. We arranged everything needed for the cremation,” Muhamamd Sultan, an elderly man told news agency Kashmir News Trust.
“We have shared joys and sorrows with him and we feel like our own family member has passed away,” he added.
“The local Muslims shouldered Pandit Ji’s coffin and arranged wood for his cremation,” said the brother of the deceased Pandit. (KNT)
