A year after Lal’s murder, family still awaits justice

Udaipur: A year after tailor Kanhaiya Lal was beheaded at his shop in the lake city, a bone-chilling incident that threatened to disrupt communal harmony in the state, the urn containing his ashes still sits at his home.Lal’s elder son Yash said the family is waiting for the accused to be hanged. “Only then will we immerse the ashes. Since my father’s death, I have stopped wearing footwear and am not getting my hair cropped. I will continue till a verdict in this case is reached. Our priority is to ensure the accused are hanged,” he said.Kanhaiya Lal was beheaded in broad daylight by Mohammd Riyaz Attari and Ghouse Mohammed, who entered the tailor’s shop posing as customers.On Wednesday, to mark the “barsi” (death anniversary), members of several Hindu organisations visited the family. The state government has provided monetary relief and jobs to both of Lal’s sons. Their house has been provided police security. The two sons are escorted by police guards at every step.Tarun, Lal’s younger son, said he had to give up his studies after his father’s death. “I want to study further for competitive examinations. We have everything now, but we miss our father every day,” he said.“All that we demand is justice,” said Jashoda, Lal’s widow, as she kept staring at the sewing machine and clothes he had stitched. Yash said the family has been instructed by NIA not to say anything in public. “We are absolutely clueless about what is going on in court. Those who had assured that they would ensure the matter is taken up by a fast-track court are nowhere to be seen,” he said.