JUNAID’S VILLAGE TO SPORT BLACK BADGES THIS EID
While the Muslims from all over India are making the needed preparations for their most awaited festival, Eid, on the other hand, a small village called Khandawali in Ballabhgarh, Haryana decided to wear a ‘black badge' this year.
Eid will never be the same for the villagers after they lost 16-year-old Junaid just a few days before the festival. As a sign of mourning, the family and neighbours have decided to visit the mosque wearing a black badge to offer Eid prayers on Monday morning.
“Hum kali patti band ke Eid ki namaaz padenge (We will just wear the black badge during Eid's namaaz),” said Jalaluddin, Junaid's father.
The old man is busy attending neighbours, relatives and media persons gathered at his house. On the last evening of Ramzan, the family had planned to gather together for moon sighting but fate had other plans. The house is instead flooded with mourners and media persons.
“When sudden death happens in a family, you can imagine how we would feel on Eid. Surely it would never be the same,” added Jalaluddin. He also stated that “Everybody who knew Junaid is crying. He was such a decent and jolly natured young boy,” sobbed Jalaluddin.
Junaid's uncle Mohammad Farooq said that he still remembers how the whole family celebrated Eid last year.
“My eyes are getting wet with the memories of last year's Eid. He had recited Quran (taravi ) in the local mosque. This year after completing Quran, he had gone to Delhi for Eid shopping because he had got 18,000 after memorising Quran,” said Farooq. “For the last time,” he continued with a heavy sigh.
Saira, mother of the deceased has been sitting all day on the floor with women from neighbourhood and relatives surrounding her. The very calm and composed mother told media, “Your blood and my blood are the same. Why so much of hatred around? This hatred should end. In the end who suffers is a mother.”
“The local MLA visited us and has also announced a job for family and also promised a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs. However, the loss is irreparable,” informed Junaid's father.
16-year-old young Junaid was brutally assaulted by a group of 15-20 men in EMU train near Ballabghgarh on Thursday evening when he was returning home from Delhi along with his brothers.
The group of men attacked them hurling religious slurs after asking them to vacate their seats.
They were also held hostage in the train and later Junaid was stabbed with a knife who later succumbed to his injuries.