The village of Mohammad Akhlaq, who was lynched by a mob following rumours of killing a cow and eating beef, will be purified.
Kin of Akhlaq crying after his death (File Image)
According to a report published in an English daily, Akhlaq’s village Bishada will be purified on Monday using cow urine and Gangajal. However, the local police and administration have not received any requests regarding permission of any such purification.
According to the report, after the purification a march will be organised to spread the message of harmony and brotherhood in the village. People from all religion will participate in the march.
The ‘shuddhikaran (purification)’ ceremony will be performed by Sadhvi Harshita Giri, the new priest of the temple which was allegedly used to announce and spread rumours about the alleged cow slaughter by Akhlaq, leading to his public lynching.
According to the report, the villagers believe that a cow was indeed killed by Akhlaq even though prima facie there was no evidence to back their claims. The first veterinary doctor’s report had declared that the meat seized from Akhlaq’s house by the police on the fateful night was mutton. Most of the villagers, however, allege the connivance of the local administration in hiding the “fact” of cow slaughter.
People of the village feel that the purification ceremony is “necessary” to atone for the villagers’ failure to prevent the “cow slaughter.