A seven-year-old boy diagnosed with blood cancer met a tragic end in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, when he was allegedly submerged in the Ganga river for about 15 minutes until he suffocated to death. The boy’s parents and aunt believed that this act would cure him of the disease, leading to a shocking incident that has sparked outrage across the nation.
Eyewitnesses reported that the boy’s parents, desperate for a miracle cure, took him to the banks of Har-Ki-Pauri, where his aunt submerged him in the river while chanting mantras. Despite the boy’s initial screams, he eventually fell silent, and bystanders rushed him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Superstition Leads to Tragic Consequences
The family’s belief in the healing powers of the Ganga river stemmed from superstition and a hope for a miracle cure. The boy, already suffering from an incurable form of blood cancer, was taken to Haridwar in a last-ditch attempt to save him, despite medical advice to the contrary. The incident, captured on video, depicts the desperate attempts of the family to cure the child through a ritualistic dip in the holy river.
The shocking footage shows the boy’s aunt repeatedly submerging him in the river while his parents chant prayers, highlighting the dangerous consequences of blind faith and superstition. Despite efforts by onlookers to intervene, the boy could not be saved, raising questions about the influence of superstition on vulnerable communities.
Investigation and Legal Ramifications
Following the incident, the boy’s parents and aunt have been taken into custody for questioning by the authorities. Preliminary investigations suggest that the boy may have been already deceased before being submerged in the river, raising concerns about the family’s actions and their impact on the child’s tragic fate.
Authorities are awaiting the postmortem report to determine the exact cause of death and to take appropriate legal action. The incident has reignited debates about the dangers of blind faith and the need for greater awareness and education to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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The heartbreaking incident in Haridwar has prompted calls for greater awareness and education to combat superstition and promote evidence-based healthcare practices. As communities grapple with the devastating consequences of blind faith, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure that no child suffers a similar fate in the name of superstition.