NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Basharat Peer in New Delhi
It seems turmoil has become a synonym for Phoolan Devi.
Even as the mystery surrounding her death deepens, family members, oblivious to the murky clouds, are fighting each other tooth and nail for her property.
And when her 13th day ceremony was organised at her Ashoka Road residence on Monday morning, it was, as expected, far from a peaceful affair.
The organisation of the ceremony saw Phoolan's mother, Mula Devi and sisters led by Munni Devi, another claimant to Phoolan's political legacy at loggerheads with Umed Singh, Phoolan's husband.
"There were bitter arguments between the two sides, followed by physical assaults on each other, and ransacking of material kept for the ritual, an eye-witness told rediff.com.
Phoolan's mother and sister, who had earlier accused Umed Singh of being responsible for her murder and for threatening them, had objected to Umed Singh's participation in the ceremony.
"When Umed did not come for the prayers we held earlier, what is the point in his joining this ceremony now," Mula Devi was heard arguing at the time of confrontation.
Umed Singh had earlier decided to hold a separate ceremony in Mirzapur, her constituency, for the 13th day ritual.
But some elders intervened and the warring groups were made to compromise and a joint ceremony was held for Phoolan Devi's salvation.
The former Delhi chief minister Sahib Singh Verma and Member of Parliament Sakhshi Maharaj were the first ones to pay tribute to Phoolan Devi.
Soon after the ceremony was over, a sombre Munni Devi was seen in hall packed with Samajwadi workers and some MPs, while Umed Singh wasn't to be seen.
Samajwadi Party sources told rediff.com that the party will on Tuesday declare the candidature of Munni Devi for Phoolan's constituency.
Meanwhile, six Buddhist monks led by RajyaSabha Member of Parliament Dr Dhamma Viriyo came and prayed at the spot of Phoolan's assassination.
They then installed a statue of Buddha at the spot.
Viriyao told rediff.com that Phoolan had become a Buddhist on 15 February, 1995 at Nagpur.
Complete coverage of the Phoolan Devi killing
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
