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New Delhi: Today is the death anniversary of Feroze Gandhi, husband of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Many kinds of misconceptions are spread on social media about Feroze Gandhi. There are many kinds of things about his religion and last rites. It is said on social media that Feroze Gandhi was a Muslim and he was buried after his death. Whereas this is completely wrong. Feroze Gandhi was from the Parsi religion and after his death, his last rites were performed according to Hindu customs.
What is the story of the last rites?
Feroze Gandhi died on 8 September 1960 at Wellington Hospital. Before his death, he wished that despite being a Parsi, his last rites should be performed according to Hindu customs. Actually, Feroze Gandhi did not like the Parsi way of funeral because in this the body is left for the eagles to eat. His wife Indira Gandhi respected this wish of Feroze. However, she also followed some Parsi customs.
In Bertil Falk’s book Firoz – The Forgotten Gandhi, it is told that Firoz’s body was kept in Teen Murti Bhavan and during this time all the religious scriptures were recited. Firoz’s last rites were performed according to Hindu customs and his 16-year-old son Rajiv Gandhi lit the funeral pyre.
It is also told in the book that where Firoz’s body was kept, Parsi traditions were also followed and the first chapter of ‘Ahnaveti’ was read by placing a piece of cloth on the mouth of his body.
The ashes were also immersed in Sangam and buried
When Firoz’s last rites were performed, some of his ashes were immersed in Sangam in Allahabad (presently Prayagraj), while some ashes were buried. Firoz’s grave was made at the place where the ashes were buried.
This is why confusion is spread on social media and it is argued that because Firoz’s grave is there, he was a Muslim. While there is absolutely no truth in this
