Uproar in Hyderabad as 13-year-old Dies on 64th Day of Religious Fast

Hyderabad: A 13-year-old girl passed away on the 64th day of a harsh fast allegedly forced on her by her parents as part of a community ritual, prompting the city police to launch an inquiry into the incident.

The incident came into light after child rights' association Balala Hakkula Sangam lodged a complaint with Hyderabad police commissioner demanding action against those who led to the death of innocent child in the name of religion.

The NGO alleged that the minor's family members and other community elders forced her to undertake a fast for over 60 days as part of a ritual.

Balala Hakkula Sangam President Achyuta Rao told CNN NEWS 18, "Its a brutal killing of innocent child. We want a case registered and the guilty to be arrested. It is a shameful thing to indulge children into wrong beliefs that cost her life."

Aradhana's father, Laxmichand Samdari's is a jeweler in Secunderabad. Lately, when his business was not doing well, the family approached a Jain Guru. The priest advised the girl's parents to ask their daughter to observe the "Chaumasa" fast in order to recover from the losses.

According to B Sumathi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Zone), a case would be filed after a preliminary inquiry into the incident. "As of now, we have made an entry in the general dairy," she said.

"The girl was studying in Class 8 in St Francis School. She was on fast for 64 days. It ended on October 1. She was on a liquid diet for the first two days (after the fast). On the third night, her blood pressure dipped and she was taken to a private hospital here where she was declared dead," Sumathi told PTI.

"We are talking to the parents and other relatives of the girl. An inquiry is going on. Once something is made out of the inquiry, we will take action legally."

Although the date of the girl's demise remains unclear, Balala Hakkula Sangham President Anuradha Rao, in the letter, claimed that the minor, residing in Pot Bazar of Secunderabad, died on October 3.

The incident has angered the child rights activists and citizens of Hyderabad who are now demanding an inquiry and arrest of the parents and the priest who forced Arardhana to follow the fast.

(With inputs from PTI)