Shun by relatives for inter-caste marriage, social activists perform last rites of elderly man

They say love is pure. However, an elderly man paid a heavy price for marrying a girl outside his caste as relatives did not turn up to conduct his funeral after his death. The shocking incident has been reported from Patnagarh in Bolangir district.

As per reports, the elderly man, identified as Hari Tuminia of Bramhapura, died while undergoing treatment at the hospital. As Hari’s son is now lodged in Tamil Nadu jail, his body was kept at the hospital for long hours. Hari’s wife had also died recently.

Even after getting information about Hari’s death, none of his relatives turned up to conduct the last rites. Later, a group of social activists turned good Samaritans and conducted the funeral to give some dignity to the departed soul.

“The man died while undergoing treatment at the hospital. As his wife had died and his son was lodged in jail in Tamil Nadu, nobody turned up to claim his body for the last rites. On getting information, we reached the spot and conducted the last rites,” said social activist Giriraj Bhoi.