Pune: In a touching act of communal unity, Javed Khan, a Muslim social activist, arranged and performed the final rites of a Hindu man, Sudhir Kinkle, in Pune’s Rasta Peth. Khan, who runs the Ummat Social Organisation, sees this as a divine calling, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
Khan learned about the passing of 70-year-old Kinkle from his friend Michael Sathe. With no immediate family or close acquaintances to carry out the rituals, Kinkle’s elderly sister, Jayashri Kinkle, was left in distress. Moved by their situation, Khan stepped in to help.
“I was informed about Sudhir Kinkle’s demise and that his sister had no one to assist her with the funeral. Without hesitation, I went to Sassoon General Hospital, where his post-mortem was being conducted,” Khan said.
While making arrangements, Khan learned that according to the family’s customs, the final rites couldn’t be conducted in the evening. As a result, they postponed the ceremony to the following morning, which coincided with Laylat al-Qadr, an auspicious night in Ramadan. Despite his religious obligations, Khan prioritized helping the grieving family.
“I arranged a vehicle to transport the body from the hospital to Vaikunth Crematorium. With the support of two friends who stood in as family members, I carried out the last rites,” he shared.
Khan later recounted the experience on social media, drawing widespread appreciation for his compassionate gesture. In light of recent Hindu-Muslim tensions, including violent incidents in Nagpur, his act has been hailed as a powerful symbol of unity and humanity.
