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Daughter reunites with mother after 34 years of forced separation
KATHMANDU, DEC 20 - Finally, it was a pleasant climax to a cruel drama in real life.
Dil Hari Shrestha, 75, of Banepa was reunited with her daughter Jayashree Bhardwaj, now 53, after 34 years of forced separation.
Jayashree’s father Surya Prasad Bhardwaj was an assistant minister in the then Tanka Prasad Acharya government in the 1950s. He enforced the separation of mother and daughter when Dil Hari married another man after being unable to tolerate his cruel treatment of her.
These and many other details were revealed today when Dil Hari narrated her story at Maiti Nepal where Jayashree, who is mentally challenged, is housed.
The reunion was made possible with the joint efforts of the National Women’s Commission (NWC), Nepal Police and the Central Women’s Cell who arranged a site visit for Dil Hari to Bhajani village in Dhangadi where Jayashree was kept in inhuman conditions.
Jayashree was 18 when Bhardwaj engineered the separation to further torture Dil Hari for leaving him and marrying another man from whom she has three sons. Two daughters were born of Bhardwaj.
According to Dil Hari, she pleaded with top authorities in the Acharya government to have her daughter reunited with her as her ex-husband was a powerful person. But nobody helped her. This led to the long separation.
Dil Hari herself had participated in the democratic revolution of 1950 against the Ranas, and had done the laundry of the imprisoned leaders, distributed their party posters and pamphlets. But no help came forward to help her. Her minister husband had conspired to take Jayashree away on the pretext of mourning the death of his elder brother.
Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Geeta Uprety of the Women’s Cell informed that Jayashree was found in critical conditions when rescued. She was living with her step-brothers in Bhagini for several years. Both her hands showed marks of ropes which was used to bind her.
“The conditions she was living in showed us that she was suffering in the house of her half brothers,” the DSP said.
Dr Durga Pokhrel, president of NWC, revealed that the inspection team had to face difficult challenges during the visit to Bhagini. “Some people even tried to attack us. Surya’s family also threatened us in no uncertain terms.”
When mother and daughter saw each other, Jayashree immediately recognised Dil Hari even after a gap of 34 long years and was unwilling to let go of her mother’s hands.
In the meantime, the NWC and Women’s Cell are holding negotiations with Surya’s family. “We want to have a peaceful reunion of mother and daughter. But we may have problems in rehabilitating the two of them,” added Dr Pokhrel.
Dil Hari, who speaks only Newari, has already made arrangements for Jayashree. She wishes to bequeath her house in Baneshwor to Jayashree with a plot of land in Chandeshwori of Banepa.
Dr Bhushan Shrestha, one of Dil Hari’s sons from her second husband, has approved of his mother’s intention.
“I’m absolutely happy meeting my daughter today!” Dil Hari informed reporters gathered at Maiti Nepal today for a press meet. Posted on: 2003-12-21 01:42
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