Kerala Story: CM Hails Muslim Brothers Who Did Hindu Woman’s Last Rites
The two brothers performed the funeral rituals of Kalyani Amma, who had no children or other relatives, in accordance with Hindu customs after she passed away
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan on Wednesday praised two Muslim brothers in Wayanad who performed the last rites of an 85-year-old Hindu woman they had cared for as their own mother for nearly five decades.
The Chief Minister hailed the gesture, writing on X: “This is the Kerala I know, love, and believe in. To me, this is what makes Kerala special—a land where love knows no religion, compassion knows no caste, and humanity brings us together. A truly heartwarming sight. We are all one. Let this grand spirit of Kerala inspire the whole of India.”
In a quiet Wayanad village, Razak and Sulaiman performed a final act of devotion that has touched many across Kerala.
The siblings, residents of Club Junction, Chithragiri under Muppainad Panchayat, completed her Hindu funeral rites at a crematorium in Andoor, following every instruction given by the priest from Ivarmadom. Local residents gathered to witness the ceremony.
Kalayana Amma had lived alone for nearly 50 years. As her health declined with age, the brothers’ family never left her to manage on her own. They took her to the hospital, arranged her medicines, and tended to her daily needs. When she became bedridden, they continued to care for her with the same steady devotion.
Razak's wife, Ruquia, stayed by Kalyana Amma's side, assisting her when she could no longer manage on her own. The family remained with her until the end, ensuring she received a dignified farewell.
In a time when differences often dominate public conversation, the quiet devotion of Razak, Sulaiman, and their family serves as a simple reminder of the power of neighbourliness and shared humanity.