British woman on death row, 27 Muslim inmates participate in Navratri fast and rituals

NEW DELHI: In a remarkable show of religious harmony , a group of Muslim inmates and a British woman on death row are participating in the nine-day Navratri fast at the district jail in this city, according to officials who spoke on Thursday.

The group, which is part of the 217 inmates housed in the jail, including 17 women, also took part in traditional prayers within the jail premises.

Jail Superintendent Mijaji Lal informed PTI, "Twenty-seven Muslim men, along with British national Ramanpreet Kaur, are observing the nine-day fast. They also participated in a havan (ritual offering) on Ashtami."

Kaur, who was sentenced to death in 2023, was found guilty of killing her husband in Puwaya in 2016, the prison officer added.

To support the fasting inmates, the jail administration provided them with daily rations of 750 grams of boiled potatoes, 500 grams of milk, fruits, and sugar. Additionally, they were given puja (prayer) materials to perform the necessary rituals during the festival.