Where decorum gets a quiet burial

KAPADWANJ, July 26: Samuel Christian, a Methodist who died of old age, could not rest in peace even after death. His coffin was dug out a...

KAPADWANJ, July 26: Samuel Christian, a Methodist who died of old age, could not rest in peace even after death. His coffin was dug out and taken from place to place for three days before it was finally laid to rest in a burial ground owned by the Vankars, a Hindu community, albeit without a cross or headstone to mark the grave.

Samuel died on July 7 and was buried by his family in a disputed burial ground in Gopalpura on July 8. The same day, BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad men dug out the coffin and placed it in front of the Methodist Church near Harikunj Society, creating panic in the minority Christian community.

According to Rashmikant David, a nephew of Samuel, after the coffin was removed, they approached the local police and civil authorities, but none helped. Therefore, the family decided to bury Samuel in the Hindu burial ground, with Vankars sanction.

Kheda district Collector Bhagyesh Jha said he had received a complaint, and would soon order an inquiry.

A police complaint lodged by DayabhaiParmar, manager of the Christian Burial Committee, names local corporator Ghyanshyam Patel, Kapadwanj VHP president Arun Suthar, and Hasmukh Patel, chairman of a local co-operative bank, as culprits. Interestingly, however, the police case makes no mention of the digging up of a coffin; it only says that Parmar8217;s bag and purse were snatched.

While Patel denied any involvement, Suthar admitted that he dug out the body with the help of BJP corporators and the residents because 8220;no one can bury a body in an area where people have been living for over four decades8221;.But Parmar claimed it was a Christian burial ground since 1951 and many bodies had been buried. Local Mamlatdar V R Pandya said the land was earmarked for a burial ground, but Christians were yet to prove their claim.

Over the years, the Lashiniya Vagharis, a sub-caste of Vagharis, have encroached and built huts on the land. The police also say that the Vagharis had been living at the disputed site for over five decades. Raju Vaghri, one of theresidents, said this was the first time a body had been brought there for burial.

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Last year, Christians had buried 8220;a coffin8221; to stake their claim, Raju alleged. The Vagharis dug it out and found it contained stones. This time, the coffin contained a body and the Vagharis knew it, but 8220;we removed it with the help of local BJP leaders8221;, Raju admitted, and complained, 8220;They want to make us homeless.8221;

The Vagharis allege that the Christian graveyard had been converted into a residential area to raise funds for the construction of the church. However, Parmar claims this was done after completing all formalities. He also questioned the Vagharis claim that they had been living there for 50 years, saying they moved in only in 1994.

According to Parmar, since the area had a small Christian community, burials took place after long intervals. The last burial was in 1996. It was held 8220;under tight security8221; because there was protests, but no one removed the body. This time, BJP-HVP men dug out Samuel8217;scoffin, he said, and alleged that the police turned a blind eye. However, Suthar claimed that the body was dug out with the consent of Samuel8217;s family. 8220;Even the police was present,8221; he said. Suthar also claimed that Samuel8217;s widow went out to bring a lorry for transferring the body to another place for burial, but 8220;the other group8221; did not allow her. Therefore, BJP-VHP men placed the body near the church.

Suthar said Christians living in nearby areas refused to allow burial in their area. He also said that last year, a body was taken to Nadiad for burial because the Christian burial ground was 8220;illegally occupied by Parmar and his group8221;. Interestingly, amidst the war of claims and counter-claims, Samuel8217;s family is keeping silent.