High drama over last rites of twice-married man in Godhra

With the first wife of the man being a Hindu and the second being a Christian, both families demanded that the rituals be performed as per their religions

VADODARA: The final rites of a man who had married twice raked up a major controversy at Godhra. With the first wife of the man being a Hindu and the second being a Christian, both families demanded that the rituals be performed as per their religions. The matter was eventually sorted out only late on Monday afternoon even as he had died on Sunday evening.

High drama took place over the issue and the matter reached the police with both sides demanding that the rituals must be performed according to the faith they followed. They even tried to convince the police through documents in their possession to prove that the deceased Rajendra Katariya followed their faith. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), too, took up the issue demanding that the last rites should be conducted as per Hindu rituals.

The matter was even taken to the Godhra police and senior police officers were approached by his both wives and their relatives. At one stage, some even demanded that the body be sent to the cold room till a final decision was reached after a court was approached.

Katariya had died due to a heart attack on Sunday evening at the Godhra civil hospital. His body was taken by his second wife Sangita to her residence in the night, but his first wife Pushpa and her kids demanded that it be handed over to them.

Godhra police faced a daunting task till late on Monday afternoon as none of the sides was willing to step down from the stance they had taken. Eventually, it was Sangita who softened her stance after convincing from some community members.

"It was agreed that some rituals would be performed as per Christianity and the body would then be handed over to Pushpa and her kin. Katariya will be cremated soon as per Hindu rituals," said Godhra town police inspector D M Parghi late on Saturday evening