Dehradun : Speaking at the ‘Sustainable India Dialogue’ organised here, Mrs. Meenakshi Sharan, President of the Ayodhya Foundation, highlighted the horrific situation during the India-Pakistan partition. She explained the importance of performing ‘shraddha (a ritual to give energy for the onward journey of departed ancestors )’ for those who lost their lives during that period. She mentioned that not a single Hindu family fleeing from Pakistan during the partition reached India safely with all its members.
She further said :
- It is important for the current generation of Hindus to be aware of the history of partition. They should also know what happened to their ancestors who faced dreadful conditions during that time.
- Millions of Hindus and Sikhs were killed, and many took their own lives and the lives of their loved ones to protect their dignity from fanatical extremists.
- Hindus and Sikhs were forced to flee from Pakistan, leaving behind their families and belongings without giving them a chance to carry anything with them. Many left their homes with food still cooking on the stoves.
- Hindu women were subjected to mass rapes, and many were taken hostages. Pregnant women’s stomachs were slashed open, and unborn babies were killed.
- There were no ‘shraddha’ rituals performed for these Hindus. In fact, no cremation of bodies could be carried out for the majority of them and vultures devoured their bodies.
- Over the last 1,400 years, this has been the fate of Hindus. The Hindu Kush mountains have witnessed rapes, sexual slavery, and the murders of Hindus.
- It is the duty of today’s generation to remember those who were killed during the partition. Our ancestors sacrificed their lives to protect the religion and ensure that future generations survived as Hindu.
- On 2nd October 2024, ‘Sarvapitri Amavasya (a day dedicated to performing shraddha for all ancestors)’, a collective ‘tarpan (ritual offering of water)’ will be organized. Those, who can perform ‘shraddha’ during the entire ‘Pitru Paksha’ period starting from 17th September 2024, should do so.
- Hindus should learn the significance of such rituals in Hinduism and perform ‘shraddha’ for the spiritual benefit of all departed souls in their families.
Source : Sanatan Prabhat
