Bhilwara/Thiruvananthapuram- In an era often dominated by headlines of division and discord, two stories from the opposite ends of India, Kerala in the south and Rajasthan in the north, have emerged as beacons of hope, reminding the nation of its enduring core values: humanity and brotherhood. These are the stories of two Muslim men who transcended religious boundaries to honour the final wishes of Hindu women, performing their last rites with the reverence of sons.

A Son's Duty in Rajasthan: Ajar Ali's Promise to Shanti Devi

In the bustling textile town of Bhilwara, Rajasthan, 67-year-old Shanti Devi had lived alone for 15 years. Tragedy had struck her life repeatedly, claiming the lives of her three daughters and a son before 2018, leaving her utterly alone in her final years. When she passed away during treatment at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, a somber question hung in the air: who would perform her last rites?

The answer came from an unexpected place, her Muslim neighbour, Azar Ali Khan. For Azar, Shanti Devi was not just a neighbour; she was a maternal figure who had showered him with affection since his childhood. He had always looked out for her, and in her passing, he felt a son's responsibility.

"I received a mother's love from her since I was a child," Azar explained. "It was my duty to ensure she found peace. "With resolve, Azar Ali took the decision to conduct her final journey as per Hindu customs. He was not alone. His friends, Ashfaq Qureshi, Shakeer Pathan, Firoz Qureshi and other Muslim youth from the neighbourhood joined him in this noble act. Together, they shouldered the bier, walked in her funeral procession, and ensured every ritual was meticulously followed at the cremation ground. The emotional sight moved everyone present to tears, painting a powerful picture of community solidarity. Azar Ali further stated that he would also ensure the immersion of her ashes in the Triveni Sangam or Matrakundiya, fulfilling all duties of a devoted son.

A Panchayat Member's Compassion in Kerala: T. Safeer's Final Act of Kindness

Meanwhile, a similar narrative of compassion unfolded over 2,000 kilometers away in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Rakhi, a 44-year-old native of Chhattisgarh, was battling cancer at the Benedict Menni Psycho Social Rehabilitation Centre. Recovering from mental illnesses, she was unable to recall her family or home. As her life neared its end, she conveyed one final wish to the nuns running the centre: she wanted her last rites to be performed according to Hindu customs.

After her passing, the nuns reached out to T. Safeer, the local Muslim ward member of the Kadinamkulam grama panchayat. Without a moment's hesitation, Safeer stepped forward to take on the role of her son. He guided the funeral proceedings, learning and performing the rites with guidance from the crematorium staff, ensuring Rakhi’s soul was laid to rest according to her wishes.

For Safeer, this was not his first time. Just two weeks prior, he had performed the same final act for another Hindu woman from the centre whose mentally unwell family could not participate.

"My religion has taught me to give the utmost respect to the body of a human being," Safeer told reporters. "My religion did not become a hindrance to me in this. Rather, the Imam of the local Jamaath congratulated me. He said this was the right thing to do."

At a time when divisive policies and hatred often make the news, the actions of Ajar Ali Khan and T. Safeer are a profound testament to a different India, an India where shared humanity triumphs over religious identity. Their actions were not about grand gestures but about simple, human duty: honouring a mother and ensuring a dignified farewell to a fellow human being.

These stories have swiftly travelled across social media, being hailed as the "Real India Story" and #HumanityFirst. They prove that when humanity calls, the walls of religion crumble, and what remains is the undeniable bond of brotherhood that has defined the nation for centuries.

In the selfless acts of these two men from two different corners of the country, we find not just hope, but a blueprint for the India that truly exists in the hearts of its people, one built on the unshakable foundation of love and unity.