Video Editor: Vivek Gupta
Ankit Saxena would have turned 24 on 22 March. The friends of the west Delhi-based photographer who was allegedly killed by the family of his girlfriend, plan to mark his birth anniversary in a special way. His friends say they plan to hold a bhandaara at the spot in Raghubir Nagar where Ankit was killed on 1 February. The father and uncle of the girl have reportedly admitted to murdering Ankit.
People from all faiths are invited to attend the function, says his father, Yashpal Saxena. “A few months ago, Ankit’s mother told him she wanted to hold a kirtan on his birthday”.
Ankit asked her not to worry about it and said he would take care of all the expenses of the event.Yashpal Saxena
Ankit was the sole breadwinner of the family and his parents have been struggling to meet their medical expenses and day-to-day needs. Relatives and neighbours of the Saxena family have worked to put this event together. His friends helped put up posters across the locality and say they expect close to 1,000 people to show up.
Yashpal told The Quint that he hoped anti-social elements would not misuse the function, and “try to provoke us like they did after Ankit’s death”.
Earlier, Yashpal had lashed out against those trying to give a communal colour to the death of his son; He has reiterated that he has no hatred for any community and that he only wants justice for his son.
(The Quint has given up the use of plastic plates and spoons. This Earth Hour, what will you #GiveUp to save the planet? Use the hashtag #GiveUp and tag @TheQuint to tell us.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)