Mohammed Sharif (social worker)

Mohammed Sharif, popularly known as Sharif Chacha, is an Indian bicycle mechanic and social worker from Uttar Pradesh. He is known for performing last rites for over 20000 unidentified and unclaimed dead bodies.[1][2] He was conferred with India's fourth-highest civilian award the Padma Shri in 2020 for his contribution in social work.[3]

Mohammed Sharif
NationalityIndian
Other namesSharif Chacha
OccupationBicycle mechanic
AwardsPadma Shri (2020)

Biography

Sharif's eldest son Mohammed Rais Khan was murdered in 1992 on his way to Sultanpur.[4] With his unclaimed body lying on the road, it was devoured by stray animals.[1] After this incident, Sharif started performing the last rites of the unidentified dead bodies. He visits police stations, hospitals, railway stations and mortuary for unclaimed bodies. The bodies are handed over to him by police only after nobody claims it for 72 hours.[1]

Sharif gives last rites to every unclaimed body as per their religion.[2] He performed last rites of over 25,000 unclaimed bodies in and around Faizabad.[5][6] Though he faced financial difficulties many times, he carried his activities of performing the last rites after collecting donations.[2] He also appeared in Satyamev Jayate.[7]

Sharif was conferred with Padma Shri in 2020 for his contribution in social work.[8][9]

gollark: BEES ACTIVATED
gollark: NO MEAT GRINDERSNO GENOCIDE
gollark: Humans *are* very good at it, and like doing it.
gollark: I mean, I do agree that overfocus on "not offending people" is harmful.
gollark: Meat grinder deployment is not permitted by the potatOS privacy policy.

References
  1. "Padma for Sharif Chacha: UP's unsung hero". The Times of India. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  2. "Ayodhya: Meet Padam Shri awardee Mohammad Sharif, who performed last rites of 25,000 unclaimed bodies". Times Now. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  3. "From Arun Jaitley to Karan Johar: Here's full list of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri awardees 2020". Deccan Herald. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  4. "With no Religious Bias, Mohd Sharif Has Cremated 25000 Unclaimed Bodies". News18. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  5. "Muslim bhajan singer, 'Langar Baba', Sundarban doctor among Padma award winners". The Times of India. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  6. "Republic Day 2020: Unsung heroes in Padma Shri award list". Deccan Herald. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  7. "Sharif Chacha's Padma has special significance". Outlook. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  8. "Full list of 2020 Padma awardees". The Hindu. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  9. "Padma Awards announced; posthumous honour for Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj". The Times of India. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
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