New Delhi, Oct 09: The fight between Kanshi Ram's family and BSP chief Mayawati over his treatment in his last days trailed him even after his death when his cremation was advanced suddenly.
The body of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, which was to have been brought to the party headquarters in Gurudwara Rakabganj Road by noon actually arrived more than an hour later by when Mayawati told party workers that the cremation should be completed before 3 pm and asked them to go to Nigambodh Ghat.
In the morning she announced that Kanshi Ram would be cremated in accordance with Buddhist rites at around 4 pm. She also announced that as per his wishes the ashes will not be immersed in Rivers Ganga or Yamuna but be kept in party office in Delhi and Lucknow.
However, amidst reports that Kanshi Ram's brothers and sister might stake claim to the body and may move the court, Mayawati decided that the body which was kept at the party headquarters for public to pay homage was taken a little before 2 pm to Nigambodh Ghat on the banks of River Yamuna.
Meanwhile, Kanshi Ram's sister Harbans Kaur said "we suspect she has killed him. We don't know what all she has done." She demanded a post-mortem.
Kanshi Ram's brother Dalwara Singh said he suspected foul play in his death and would lodge an FIR against Mayawati.
He sought a probe into the circumstances leading to Kanshi Ram's death and objected to the last rites being performed according to Buddhist traditions.
CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat, his wife and party politburo member Brinda Karat and RLD chief Ajit Singh paid their tributes to the departed soul. Scores of BSP activists also paid their last respects.
Bureau Report
