Sultanpur (UP), Aug 28 (PTI) For most, Raksha Bandhan celebrations light up homes, with sweets, laughter and the familiar ritual of a sister tying a rakhi on her brother’s wrist.
At Sultanpur district jail on Friday, the same ritual unfolded behind security checks and under watchful eyes, with long queues at the prison gates as several women visited their incarcerated brothers to tie rakhis.
As many as 478 women and 103 children reached the jail to tie rakhis to 307 male inmates, Jail Superintendent Pranjal Arvind said.
The visitors, many of whom had travelled from distant areas, waited in queues before meeting their brothers amid tight security arrangements, he said.
For some of the women, the reunion was overwhelming. “I have brought rakhi and sweets for my brother, and prayed for his early release,” said Neetu, a resident of Bhetaura.
Rupa, who came from Dostpur with sweets and rakhi, said “it is painful to see him (her brother) in jail, but I hope he would be released soon”.
“I had never imagined that I would have to come to a jail to tie rakhi on my brother,” said Lalita of Mishrauli.
A local woman said she, and others, prayed for long life and safety of their brothers, and hoped they would return home — leaving behind bad company and choose the right path.
The jail administration said the Raksha Bandhan programme was held from 9 am to 4 pm.
Women who arrived without rakhis were provided rakhis by the jail administration, Arvind said. Arrangements were also made for seating, drinking water and biscuits for the visitors.
The arrangement enabled women and children to meet the inmates and observe the ritual despite restrictions due to incarceration, he said. PTI COR KIS SMV ARB ARB
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