A funeral procession of a Muslim man in Bihar’s Darbhanga district was allegedly blocked by members of another community, forcing mourners to carry the body across a village river to reach the burial ground, according to a report from Mekna village.
The man, a Muslim resident of Mekna, had died, and relatives and neighbours were taking his body for burial. Heavy rain had made the usual path difficult, so the people carrying the body chose another route. Members of the local Paswan community, who are Hindu, allegedly refused to let the procession pass.
According to the report, the land along that route is occupied by members of the Paswan community. They reportedly said they planned to build a temple there and would therefore not permit the funeral procession to go through.
The mourners then set the body down on the road and tried to talk to the people blocking the way. The report says the Hindu residents refused to engage in any discussion.
The report also alleges that police were present at the spot but did not step in to help. With no way through, members of the Muslim community lifted the body onto their shoulders, waded across the village river, and took it to the burial site. The incident has been described as one that has caused humiliation to humanity.
Islamic tradition calls for the dead to be buried quickly and for the body to be carried to the grave with respect, which is why delays and detours at such moments cause deep distress to families.
