Rajasthan man halts mother’s cremation, creates ruckus over jewellery; demands her silver bangles

NEW DELHI: In an unusual incident, the cremation of a woman in Rajasthan’s Kotputli-Behror district was delayed for nearly two hours after her son created a ruckus over possession of her silver bangles and other jewellery. A video of the May 3 incident, which occurred at Leela Ka Bas ki Dhani village, surfaced online on Thursday, showing the man lying on the funeral pyre, demanding that the ornaments be handed over to him. Despite the commotion, police said no formal complaint had been lodged in the matter. Locals said Bhuri Devi, wife of late Chitramal Regar, died on May 3. Of her seven sons, six live together in the village, while the fifth son, Omprakash, resides separately. Villagers claimed a property dispute had been simmering for years between Omprakash and his siblings. According to residents, after performing the last rituals at home, the family removed Bhuri Devi’s jewellery, including silver bangles, and handed them over to the eldest son, Girdhari. The funeral procession then proceeded to the cremation ground, with Omprakash also helping carry the bier. However, on reaching the cremation site, Omprakash began protesting. As villagers prepared the pyre, he suddenly lay down on the wooden logs, refusing to allow the cremation to proceed unless he was given his mother’s ornaments. Despite repeated attempts by family members and villagers to reason with him, Omprakash refused to move for nearly two hours. It was only after the jewellery was brought to the cremation ground and handed over to him that he vacated the pyre and allowed the last rites of Bhuri Devi to be completed.