2-Month-Old Son Fires Slain Soldier Father's Pyre, Circles Around It In Unique Chhattisgarh Tradition

Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed during the funeral of Sudarshan Vetti, a Bastar Fighters jawan killed during a Naxalite attack in Bijapur on Monday.

Dantewada: Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded in Gumlanar village here on Tuesday as a 2-month-old son bid a final adieu to his father, Sudarshan Vetti, a Bastar Fighters jawan killed during a Naxalite attack in Bijapur on Monday.

The newborn was made to fire the slain father's pyre and circled twice over it by the family and local community as part of an age-old tradition of ‘pherna’. It’s believed that the practice passes on the valour and courage of the father to the son.

On the occasion, Vetti’s funeral was also given the full state honour while security forces gave the last salute to him during the ceremony, held in his village. It displays the deeply-engraved traditions and values of the community even in times of mourning.

शहीद सुदर्शन जी की शहादत को छत्तीसगढ़ कभी नहीं भूलेगा। 2 माह के एक मासूम और अबोध बेटे द्वारा अपने शहीद पिता को अंतिम विदाई देने का यह मार्मिक दृश्य, हर दिल को झकझोर देने वाला है।

सुदर्शन जी जैसे वीर हमारे छत्तीसगढ़ की शान हैं। उनके और अन्य शहीदों के बलिदान ने नक्सल उन्मूलन के… https://t.co/KCJLqUk4OO

— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) January 7, 2025

Vetti was killed on Monday (January) 6 when Naxalites detonated an IED during an ambush near Ambeli on the Kutru Bedre road. He was returning to his camp on the successful conclusion of an anti-naxal operation in Abujhmad on January 4 and 5.

The soldier’s family, including his wife and two-month-old child, participated in the official tribute program at Dantewada Police Headquarters, where they also met Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Expressing condolences to Vetti’s family, CM Sai praised his bravery and sacrifice.

Later, taking to X, Sai said, “Chhattisgarh will never forget the martyrdom of Shaheed Sudarshan Ji. This touching scene of a 2-month-old innocent son bidding a final farewell to his martyred father is heart-wrenching.”

“Brave men like Sudarshan ji are the pride of our Chhattisgarh. The sacrifice of him and other martyrs has further strengthened our resolve to eradicate Naxalism,” he wrote.

Sai also issued a stern warning to Naxalites, stating that the sacrifices of soldiers like Vetti would not go in vain.

“Our government is committed to eradicating this scourge of Naxalism within the stipulated time frame. Hail India, Hail Chhattisgarh,” Sai adds.

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