150 Hindu prisoners are fasting in Indian jails

The Dhaka Times Desk At least 150 inmates of India's Tihar Jail are fasting regularly this year. They said they were fasting in honor of Muslim friends in jail.

At least 150 inmates of India's Tihar Jail are fasting regularly this year. They said they were fasting in honor of Muslim friends in jail.

Quoting the prison guards there, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported that the number of Hindu prisoners fasting in honor of their Muslim companions has increased many times this year. At least 150 Hindu prisoners are fasting regularly this time. Last year the number of fasting was 59.

A prison spokesperson said, 'There are 16,665 inmates in various jails in Tihar. Among them, about 2,658 Hindus and Muslims are fasting regularly. It has been reported that the number of Rozadar Quaidir has increased at least three times compared to other times.

In the first week of this month, the Hindu inmates of the jail met with the jail superintendent and informed that they will fast. After that, the jail authorities made special arrangements for these fasting prisoners.

About this, a jail official said, Hindus have given various reasons in favor of fasting. However, most Hindus said they were observing the fast in honor of the Muslim prisoners. But no one wanted to admit whether they had converted after coming to jail. In general, 80-90 percent of inmates fully adhere to religious orders in jail. Some of them think that if they pray, they can get a quick release.

In Tihar Jail, not only the Hindus observe the fast to see the Muslim prisoners, but the Muslim prisoners also fast in solidarity with them. This year, many Muslim prisoners also fasted along with Hindus during the 9-day Navratri festival. This kind of religion is not only in Tihar Jail but also in other Jails of India from time to time.

Jail authorities organize dates and Ruhafza sherbet every day for iftar of Tihar Jail inmates who are fasting.