Finding no aid from community in Odisha’s Nabarangpur, parents cremate son's body

Nabrangpur, Oct 19: Dispute over a dead man’s caste has taken a pathetic turn in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district on Saturday. Bereaved parents have cremated their young son’s body with the help of two daughters-in-law in Jani Sahi village under Tentulikhunta block in Nabarangpur. The body of one migrant labourer Jagabandhu Jani was carried to the graveyard by his elderly parents Sarathi Jani and his wife who was cremated haphazardly. Sources said Sarathi’s son Jagabandhu died in Nabarangpur district headquarters hospital on Tuesday. Subsequently, three relatives of Jagabandhu who belong to another community carried the body to Jani Sahi out of compassion. They also arranged everything for his last rites, in order to help the elderly parents. {"id":142992,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} Meanwhile, Jagabandhu’s old parents appealed the neighbours and community members to lend their shoulders to cremate the body, but in vain. They did not touch it allegingthat the body became untouchable as three men of other castes and community touched it. Getting no other option, the family members including the bereaved parents, two daughter-in-laws and two minor sons put the body into pyre, said father, Sarathi Jani with teary eyes. However, the village leader of Jani community, Sridhara Jani said that Jagabandhu was ostracised from the Jani society since long after he received a second wife, out of Jani community. It is why he was not attended by the villagers after his death, Jani added.