An estimated 5,000 people converged on D.J. Halli to catch a glimpse of three-month-old Afreen — who died of injuries inflicted allegedly by her father Umar Farook who had wanted a boy — during her burial here on Wednesday evening.
Gathered from K.G. Halli, where her father's house is, to D.J. Halli, where her mother Reshma Banu's family lives, and surrounding areas, people thronged the house on Modi Road to pay their condolence to the family.
Afreen was buried in the Muslim cemetery on Tannery Road around 5.45 p.m., after the evening prayers.
Television crews, who had hounded the family in the morning after the death, departed before the funeral as news of tremors in the city gained importance.
Financial help
Amidst the chaos and sorrow after the battered baby's death, politicians managed to reach the spot.
Chamrajpet MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan and D.J. Halli councillor Sampath Raj were present at the burial. While Mr. Sampat Raj said he would extend “all possible” help to the family, Mr. Khan announced Rs. 5 lakh of his own money as compensation to the family.
MLA's promise
Hearing out the requests after the death in Vani Vilas Hospital, the MLA promised to send the family on a Haj pilgrimage, while also offering to arrange and fund the wedding of Ms. Banu's youngest sister, Parveen Taj.
Ms. Banu's father Abdul Karim Khan had told the MLA Afreen's hospitalisation costs had eaten into the money they had saved for Ms. Taj.
Rights panel
Further help may be on the way for the family as State Human Rights Commission Chairperson S.R. Nayak has written to the Chief Minister asking him to help the family under existing government schemes. “She comes from a poor family and is also psychologically traumatised. She will need help to get back on her feet,” said Mr. Nayak.
Apart from being a symbol against female infanticide — as the Child Welfare Committee and the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights hope to do so — others used the distressing fate of the infant to pressure social welfare organisations to change their style of working.
Criticism
In an oblique reference to the Wakf board, Anwar Manippady, Chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission, who had previously faulted the Board for violations in land usage, said: “It was up to the Wakf Board to help people like [Afreen's family]. It is their responsibility and mandate.”
