A 55-year-old Parsi woman from Gujarat’s Navsari district was cremated with Hindu rites after members of both the Parsi and Muslim communities allegedly declined to conduct her last rites, according to a report.
The woman died on June 4, following a brief illness. According to the report, her body remained in a mortuary for nearly two days after attempts to arrange funeral rites through both communities did not succeed. The incident has drawn attention because of the circumstances surrounding the woman’s interfaith marriage and the difficulties reportedly faced in conducting her final rites.
Married a Muslim Professor Despite Family Opposition
The deceased belonged to a Parsi family from Vansda near Navsari. Her father worked in a private firm while her mother was a government school teacher. According to sources quoted by the report, she met a Muslim college professor while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at a college affiliated with Veer Narmad South Gujarat University.
The couple married nearly 35 years ago despite opposition from her family. Sources cited in the report claimed that her parents initially disapproved of the marriage and that she was not allowed to participate in certain community functions after the marriage. The report also stated that relations between the woman and her parents improved in later years.
Requests for Parsi and Muslim Funeral Rites Allegedly Declined
According to the report, following her death, efforts were made to perform her last rites according to Parsi customs. However, members of the Parsi community allegedly declined the request.
The report further stated that caretakers of a Muslim graveyard were also approached regarding burial arrangements. They too allegedly refused permission, citing community norms.
As a result, the body reportedly remained in the mortuary while family members sought an alternative arrangement.
VHP Intervenes, Hindu Cremation Conducted
The matter later came to the attention of Paresh Patel, Navsari district president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Patel told media that after learning about the situation, he contacted local authorities and community members. Following these discussions, arrangements were made for the woman’s cremation.
On June 5, the body was taken to a crematorium in Navsari, where Hindu last rites were performed. Close relatives, family members and friends attended the cremation ceremony.
According to Patel, the ashes were subsequently handed over to the woman’s husband after the cremation.
The incident has sparked discussion locally over the issue of funeral rights in interfaith marriages and the challenges that can arise when individuals are unable to access customary rites through their birth or marital communities.
No official complaint has been reported in the matter so far. However, the case has drawn attention because a woman born into the Parsi community, married to a Muslim man, ultimately received Hindu last rites after VHP intervention when funeral arrangements through the other two communities allegedly did not materialise.
