Janjivan Bureau / Rourkela: The word ‘humanity’ appears to be no more in human society in modern age where a body was laid for hours and the villagers refused to carry it to the crematorium because the family was ostracized from the community in Odisha.
The incident occurred at Ganua village under Koida block in Sundergarh district yesterday.
The villagers were the mere spectators, standing beside the body but could not hear cry of deceased’s wife and his 8-year-old son.
Instead of carrying the body on their shoulders to the crematorium for last rites, the villagers demanded wife of the deceased to pay Rs 10,000 to revoke restriction imposed on the family.
The deceased was identified as Fagu Penthei.
According to reports, Fagu Penthei along with his family was ostracized from his community after he failed to pay Rs 30,000 as fine for a mistake committed by his son Ajay (16), who had touched a body belonging to his Kumbhar community of that village last year. After the economic condition of his family deteriorated, his two sons went to Chennai in search of work.
The ailing Fagu died of asthma yesterday. His wife and youngest son requested the villagers for assistance to carry the body for last rites. However, they were asked to pay money.
A compassionate youth from other community came forward and carried the body in a vehicle to the crematorium. He along with the deceased’s wife and son buried the body.
