The pilgrims were returning to Punjab from the Hindu holy town of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh.
Team Clarion
MEWAT – In a heartwarming display of courage and brotherhood, Muslims in the Mewat region rescued dozens of pilgrims traveling in a bus which caught fire on Saturday. The incident has set a powerful example of brotherhood in an area often marred by communal violence and mob lynching targeting the Muslim community.
Saturday’s incident involved an air-conditioned bus carrying pilgrims returning to Punjab from the Hindu holy town of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh. The bus caught fire near the toll gate at the Dhulavat village of the Mewat region. Tragically, nine people lost their lives, but thanks to the brave actions of the local Muslims, many others were saved. The details of this heroic rescue were shared by Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed on social media. The legislator also praised the villagers’ selfless efforts.
“Dozens of people from Jalandhar, Punjab were returning by bus from Vrindavan after completing a 7-day religious pilgrimage,” Aftab Ahmed said. “The bus caught fire near the toll gate at our village Dhulavat, and dozens were at risk. The villagers bravely attempted to extinguish the fire and rescue the passengers, risking their lives. Sadly, nine people could not be saved due to severe burns, while the rest sustained serious injuries.”
Ahmed continued: “Some passengers were shifted to Shaheed Hasan Khan Medical College. Some have been sent to Rohtak Medical College. In this sad moment, we stand with the victims and their families.” He also shared a video on social media, showing the severity of the situation and mentioning that a woman named Shanti was transferred to PG Hospital in Rohtak due to her critical condition.
Ahmed criticised the local administration for a delayed response, highlighting that prompt action could have mitigated the tragedy. “It is to be mentioned that some unscrupulous sections of society always spread various kinds of rumours to break the brotherhood of Mewat. Sometimes it is alleged that most incidents of cow slaughter take place here, while at other times it is said this area is a den of thugs,” Ahmed noted.
This heroic act stands in stark contrast to the recent history of communal tensions in Mewat. The area witnessed large-scale violence following a religious pilgrimage, resulting in numerous fatalities, arson attacks on vehicles, and the tragic murder of an imam. Despite these horrific events, there were numerous reports of communities protecting each other, underscoring the deep-seated tradition of mutual support and solidarity in the region.
