Sheikh Danish
Srinagar, Oct 6: The condolences poured in from all walks of life over the tragic killing of famous chemist Makhan Lal Bindroo as many prominent personalities visited the family of the bereaved at their Indra Nagar residence on Wednesday.
Bindroo was cremated amid sobs around 2 pm at Batamaloo.
Among the people that visited the bereaved family include National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Altaf Bukhari.
Talking with the media, Abdullah called Bindroo an upright man who all his life served for the welfare of the people.
“He never left the valley. And every day he used to help poor people. But beasts killed him too,” Abdullah said.
Abdullah said that he is not here to do politics but to sympathise with the family.
Unknown gunmen fired at Bindroo, 68, when he was at his shop near Iqbal Park area of Srinagar, at around 7 pm on Tuesday.
Bindroo had multiple bullet injuries and died on his way to the hospital.
JKAP president Altaf Bukhari termed the incident unfortunate and said that it is not the death of Kashmiri pandit but of a Kashmiri.
“It is a shame for all of us. This man has served Kashmiris in such tough times. For God sake, people who are doing this (killing) should understand that nothing will come out of this,” Bukhari said.
Dr Sidhharth Bindroo, son of the deceased, said that the entire Kashmir was aware about the persona of his father.
“Everybody from Baramulla to Banihal knew what kind of a person he was. He was a chemist but he made a personality of his own, and that is why everybody loved and respected him,” Bindroo said.
Bindroo said his father was a man of principles and he would never do anything which was unethical and lived his whole life with that principle.
“This man gave 40 years of life to Kashmir without expecting anything in the return. There was a time when proper medicine was not available in Kashmir, and he used to rush, by booking the costliest air tickets, to get those medicines which were not available in the market and then dispense them,” he said .
Bindroo said that more than earning money his father was happy in meeting people, and serving them.
“In a sort of way a community worker of the society of Kashmir has passed away. Condolences are pouring from all walks of life irrespective of religion. He was loved by all,” he said.
Bindroo said that his father never had rivalry with anyone.
“We will leave it to the authorities to decide and ascertain who was behind my father’s killing,” Bindroo said.
Putting up a brave face, B L Bindroo’s daughter, Dr Shraddha Bindroo said that his father’s spirit would always remain alive.
“See what kind of children he has made. I am an associate professor and I have started from zero level. My father started from a bicycle. My brother is a famous diabetologist. My mother, a female lady, sits in a shop. That is what Makhan Lal Bindroo has made us,” she said.
“As a Kashmiri Pandit he will never die. I, being a Hindu have read the Quran. And the Quran says the physical body can disappear but not its spirit. Makhan Lal Bindroo will be alive in spirit,” she said.
Shraddha challenged people behind her father’s killing to come forward and confront her.
“And Mr who shot my father while he was working, if you have guts and courage come in front and have a debate and we will see what you are,” she said. “You can pelt stones and fire bullets from behind. You killed a person. I am here, come and talk to me.” Meanwhile, all Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also expressed shock and grief and strongly condemned the killing of M.L. Bindroo.
APHC said that it strongly condemns all killings, which are acts of pure violence against fellow humans and humanity.
APHC extends its heartfelt condolences and sympathies with the bereaved family of Bindroo and others who have been pushed to perpetual grief at the loss of their dear one.
