A distressing incident from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra has raised profound questions about rigid societal beliefs after a family refused to perform the last rites of a newborn. The infant passed away just a day after birth, but instead of grieving together and bidding a final farewell, the parents and relatives kept a strict distance. Citing traditional religious customs observed during Navratri, the family declined to touch the infant's body. Ultimately, local cemetery workers stepped in to shoulder the responsibility of the funeral, while the father watched the entire procedure from a distance of over a hundred meters away.
Tragic Passing Hours After Birth in Hospital
The sequence of events unfolded at a private hospital located near the Gajanan Maharaj Mandir in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The couple originally hailed from the Jalgaon district and had been living in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for about a year for work purposes. The woman gave birth to the child on a Monday night, but complications arose during delivery, and the newborn passed away the very next morning. When the family was faced with taking the body from the hospital and arranging for the last rites, they cited family traditions practiced during Navratri to justify their refusal to touch the infant's mortal remains.
Father Contacted Cemetery Workers for Assistance
Refusing to handle the infant themselves, the child's father reached out to workers at the Central Naka cemetery and requested them to take charge of the newborn. Responding to the call, cemetery workers Devaraj Gaikwad and Rameshwar Sable arrived at the location. Reports indicated that five to six family members were present at the time, but none of them were willing to take responsibility for transporting or handling the baby's body. As the relatives gradually dispersed from the scene, the cemetery workers took full charge of carrying the infant away.
Father Watched From a Distance of 150 Meters
The most heart-wrenching aspect of the incident occurred at the burial ground. Instead of traveling in the same vehicle alongside the workers, the father arrived at the cemetery in a separate auto-rickshaw. Even upon arrival, he maintained a wide berth and stood approximately 100 to 150 meters away from the burial site. The cemetery workers repeatedly urged him to come closer, catch a final glimpse of his child, and participate in the rituals, but he persistently refused. According to the staff, the father instructed them to complete all the procedures on their own. He reportedly even refused to collect the child's documents the next day, signing the necessary paperwork before abruptly leaving the premises.
Cemetery Staff Overcome With Emotion During Burial
Devaraj Gaikwad and Rameshwar Sable carried out the final rites and buried the infant without any active participation from the family members. Once the burial was completed, the father briefly approached the grave, poured a small amount of milk over it, and departed. Witnessing this ordeal deeply moved the cemetery workers. While they deal with death and funerals on a daily basis, the sheer isolation faced by a one-day-old newborn left them profoundly shaken and brought tears to their eyes.
