Setting example of humanity and interfaith brotherhood, Gulfam Ansari and his friends conducted the last rites of Hindu engine mechanic Ajay Kumar Saini with full honours
DEOBAND — In a remarkable demonstration of humanity and interfaith solidarity, Gulfam Ansari and his friends performed the last rites of their Hindu neighbour, Ajay Kumar Saini, with full Hindu rituals in Deoband in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district. The incident has been widely praised as a beacon of communal harmony in a region often troubled by religious tensions.
Ajay Kumar Saini, a 40-year-old engine mechanic, had been living alone in a rented house in Kohla Basti, Deoband, for the past two decades. He died on December 28 due to some kidney disease. With no family member present to oversee his funeral, local residents were initially uncertain about the arrangements.
It was at this moment that Gulfam Ansari and his friends stepped forward. Despite not being familiar with Hindu customs, Gulfam ensured that all rituals were conducted correctly. “We wanted to give Ajay Kumar the respect he deserved. Religion should not prevent us from helping one another,” Gulfam said.
The neighbours consulted people familiar with Hindu funeral traditions to ensure the last rites were performed properly. The bier was prepared and transported to the cremation ground at Devikund, where the cremation was carried out with dignity. “It was important for us to follow all rituals, so that he could rest in peace. We wanted to show respect, as any human being deserves,” Gulfam added.
The community also arranged food for those who came to pay their respects, following traditional practices of providing meals for three days after the funeral. “When humanity is alive, the walls of religion crumble automatically. This is the message we wish to share,” said another resident who helped with the arrangements.
Social activists have applauded Gulfam and his friends for their actions. Noor Fatima, a local social worker, remarked, “This incident reminds us that acts of compassion and humanity can unite people across faiths. In a society often divided by religion, it is heartening to see such examples of brotherhood.”
The story has inspired conversations about the importance of mutual respect and communal harmony in India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where interfaith tensions have frequently surfaced in recent years. Many residents have lauded Gulfam and his friends for prioritising humanity over religious differences, proving that empathy and neighbourly care can transcend boundaries of faith.
In a time when headlines often highlight religious discord, this act of kindness stands out as a reminder that communities can come together to support one another. It reinforces the idea that human compassion is universal, and that true neighbourliness respects life and dignity above all else.
