In a heartwarming display of communal harmony, local Muslims in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district came together to perform the last rites of a 70-year-old Kashmiri Pandit, Bhushan Lal Ganjoo, who passed away on Monday.
Ganjoo, a retired teacher and a respected figure in Lajurah village, about five kilometers from Pulwama town, was well-known for his contributions to the community.
With only a few family members present, his Muslim neighbors stepped in to organize and carry out his cremation, arranging wood and shouldering his coffin, treating him as one of their own.
“We never saw him as just a Kashmiri Pandit. He was one of us,” said Mohammad Abdullah, a local resident, highlighting the deep bond shared with Ganjoo.
He noted that Ganjoo had taught thousands of students in the area and always prioritized the welfare of the community, regardless of religion.
Gh Nabi, one of Ganjoo’s former students, reflected on his teacher’s impact, stating that when news of his death spread, students from across the region rushed to participate in his final rites, fulfilling their duty to the man who had shaped their education.
Even on his deathbed, locals recalled, Ganjoo continued to teach Hindi to local students, underscoring his lifelong dedication to learning.
Ravinder, a former student who traveled from Batote Banihal for the funeral, praised the communal spirit of the local Muslims, affirming that despite challenges, the community’s commitment to co-existence and harmony remains strong.
This act of solidarity comes as a reminder of the deep-rooted ties between communities in Kashmir, reflecting a shared history of unity despite the region’s troubled past.