Ankit was murdered by his girlfriend's family who was opposed to their relationship, as they were Muslims.
From the photographs that adorn a banner at the entrance of his Raghubir Nagar house, Ankit Saxena looks smilingly at his father who greets all those who are walking into his house to attend an iftaar dinner hosted in his memory.
And perhaps Yashpal Saxena, too, is conscious of his son's 'presence;' the calm and composed demeanor is telling, much like what Ankit would have wished, even when he has to recall the last four months that weighs heavy with the grief of losing his son.
Ankit was murdered by his girlfriend's family who was opposed to their relationship, as they were Muslims.
Braving the tragedy, the Saxenas opened their hearts and doors to Muslims and hosted an iftaar party at their residence on Sunday. The Saxenas' 'Iftar For All' was open to people from all strata and religions, and asserted Yashpal's believe in communal harmony.
"I have no agenda, political or otherwise. I just want to reiterate my belief: that people should not be divided on the basis on caste or religion. I have no animosity or hatred towards my Muslim brethren. Hopefully this iftaar will take convey my message — that we can and should co-exist peacefully," he says.
While Yashpal gets busy with the gathering downstairs, fussing over the preparations, ensuring that dates and water are served to everyone, his neighbours laud the couple's gesture. "It requires super-human effort to put a tragedy of such magnanimity behind and do this. It is not easy when people are colouring your mind. We have been living in harmony for more than 10 decades. This iftaar is to assert the same," says Zainab Noor who stays on the floor above the Saxenas'.
Relatives recall how they were discouraged and, even, threatened from holding the iftaar.
Soniya Saxena, Ankit's aunt, says the family was warned of ostracisation, if they went ahead with the plan. "There were people from our own community who tried to talk us out of it, saying there will be riots. Several close relatives refused to support jijaji, but he was sure," says Soniya who has come all the way from Bareilly for the iftaar dinner.
It's 7:15 pm. Guests have sat down to break the Ramzan fast. Noor, one of the guests, points towards a cluster of women who are cutting fruits. "They are from my community, and we are helping the Saxenas with the iftaar party.
Guests who are having their dinner are people from all religions. If this doesn't send a message, God knows what will?" says Noor.
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 "Ankit Saxena’s iftaar dinner")
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