At a time when political narratives across the nation are increasingly marked by religious polarisation and sectarian rhetoric, a quiet village in the heart of West Bengal has offered a resounding counterpoint— one that affirms humanity over hatred, compassion over division.
Hazrat Hajipara, a Muslim-majority village under the Shobhapur Pardeonapur Gram Panchayat in Kaliachak Block III of Malda district, has shown that the spirit of communal brotherhood is still alive and thriving. In a gesture steeped in empathy and solidarity, Muslim residents came together to perform the last rites of a lone Hindu villager — Lakshmi Ravidas — who passed away earlier this week at the age of 73.
In a locality where Lakshmi Ravidas and his family were the only Hindu household among Muslim neighbors, it would have been easy for difference to breed distance. But for decades, Lakshmi and his family were embraced by the community— helped during family weddings, supported in times of crisis and celebrated during festivals.
When Lakshmi passed away on Wednesday night, his wife, Kajaldevi, faced the daunting task of arranging his funeral alone. Their sons, all migrant workers, were away. In response, the villagers — Muslim to a man — rose without hesitation to shoulder the responsibility of giving him a dignified farewell.
Also read: Ram Navami in WB: Muslims distribute sweets, shower flowers
On Thursday, they built the bamboo bier, adorned it with colored paper, and accompanied the body with the sounds of khol, kartal, and hari-dhvani— symbols of Hindu spiritual tradition. Though Lakshmi’s son lit the pyre, every other aspect of the ritual was carried out by his Muslim neighbors, unified not by faith, but by friendship.
"This is our village. We have lived side by side for decades. Lakshmida was one of us,” said Mohammad Shamim, a resident of Hazrat Hajipara, adding, “We arranged everything— from the bamboo scaffolding to the final rites. It took us until 4 pm. He may have belonged to a different religion, but to us, he was family.”
Another villager, Miraj Ali, echoed this sentiment. “They’ve lived in this village for more than 35 years. We have been with them during every celebration and every sorrow. Even today, as the country burns in the fire of division, we see them as our own. They are part of our hearts.”
In a country increasingly divided by political efforts to polarise communities along religious lines, Hazrat Hajipara has offered a living example of inclusive coexistence. The villagers' actions not only honored the life of Lakshmi but also paid homage to the universal principles of empathy, equality, and shared humanity.
Follow us
