Special Raksha Bandhan for jail inmates

JAIPUR: Unlike every year when hundreds of sisters tie rakhi to their jailed brothers through iron bars, the jail administration this time arranged the function inside the jail auditorium to make the festival memorable for undertrials and convicted prisoners. The women and girls got emotional when they entered at Jaipur Central Jail and saw their brothers on Sunday.
Since morning many girls and women were seen waiting at the Jaipur Central Jail for their turn to tie rakhi on their brothers’ wrists. “He was convicted in a case of murder, still he will remain my brother for the rest of my life. It is difficult to see him away, still days like these bring some peace and happiness,” said Rami Devi a 55-year-old woman and a native of Phagi who was seen cheerful after meeting her brother and celebrating the festival in jail.



A sister ties a rakhi on her brother, a jail inmate, at Jaipur Central Jail on Sunday

Some of the jail guards also had tears in their eyes when they witnessed the arrival of sisters who met their undertrial and convicted prisoners. Many women were happy when they were told that this year there is not going to be any barrier of iron bars between them and the brothers. “Bhot chokho kaam kiyo hai (They’ve done a superb job),” said 45-year-old Chameli Devi.


Raksha Bandhan being celebrated at Govind Devji Temple.

The best part of the celebration was that more than two or three sisters of a family were allowed to tie rakhi to their brothers. “They must have done some crime in the past for which they are serving the sentence. Despite this, they are humans and on festivals like these they should be allowed to celebrate with their families,” said an officer with the jail department.

At many places in the state plenty of sisters tied rakhi on the idols of their martyred brothers. On the other hand, the jail authorities in order to ensure security also checked sweet boxes and hand bags that the women carried with them.