The gram sabha had offered the land two weeks after TOI highlighted the plight of the village’s Muslim familie... Read More

AGRA: Days after the gram sabha in Agra ’s Chah Pokhar village offered a piece of barren land that could be used by Muslims there who have been burying the dead in and around their houses for want of proper space, a “temple” has suddenly come up on the plot of land that was proposed for a graveyard.

TOI had published a report on June 20, highlighting the plight of the people who were literally living with the dead. Some had buried their kin even in their kitchen, while others had them on the backyard.

Now, days after a land was proposed, some local residents have installed an idol of ‘hanuman’ on a brick platform, saying the land falls on an important road and people will fear to walk through or along the patch at night.

Village head Sundar Singh told TOI, “I have already offered to give land for the graveyard. But some people are adamant on not allowing it. Now , I cannot do anything about it. I have informed the administration.”

Hakim Singh, who owns a farm next to the proposed 1500-sq mt plot, said, “Till now, things are under control. But if this situation persists, the peaceful atmosphere of the village will be spoiled and there will be no communal harmony. We will not allow the burial ground to come up here.” No one will be able to come here during night after the graveyard comes up, he said.

“How could the village head offer the land for graveyard without discussing the issue with the entire community? We have been living here for generations,” he said, adding, “We are in majority and he should have discussed the matter with us before proposing to offer the land.”

Singh insisted, “This land should be given to develop a playground for children,”

Another local resident, Dara Singh said, “The administration can utilize the proposed land for anything, but not graveyard. People usually cross that area and sleep in their fields during the night. But, after the graveyard comes up, it will be impossible”.

When contacted, district magistrate Ravi Kumar NG said that he was aware of the issue and was trying to resolve it.

“This is the gram sabha land and no one can do anything on it without an approval,” the DM said.

The gram sabha had offered the land two weeks after TOI highlighted the plight of the village’s Muslim families.

The village has 15 Muslim houses with a population of over 250 people. Most of the families are poor and landless and men scout for work as contract labourers.

Read this story in Bengali

