People call him ‘Body Miyan’. In fact, he wished to be called so. Ayub Ahammed, commonly known as Ayub Ji, carries unclaimed dead bodies to the mortuary and even performs the last rituals of people he has never met.
Ayub, 38, from Mysore, has been doing this odd job for the past 19 years. His passion for carrying out social work and compassion towards mankind prompted him to do such an unusual task.
The Turning Point
It was during a journey to Gundlupet that he witnessed the heart-broken sight of a dead body lying on the road, surrounded by people.On his way back after 10 hours, the dead body was there. This incident shook his heart. Thus, he began his selfless service of collecting unclaimed dead bodies and performing the last rites of people he has never met or known.
What Does He do?
Ayub takes care of the deceased dead body like a kin would. He carries the dead bodies in his own car. Ayub has performed thousands of such cremations. Even though he does not keep an account of the number of dead bodies he has cremated, Ayub said to The Logical Indian that it might be around 10,000. If a dead body is not identified, he puts a picture of the deceased person on his Facebook page. If someone recognises the body, they contact him.
Ayub usually gets the information soon after the police gets the alert. He reaches the spot after all the formalities are done. If a relative claims the body, he does not ask for money. Sometimes, Ayub gets Rs 50 to 150 as transportation charge.
Support From Family
Even though Ayub’s wife and children extend their full support, his parents and other relatives oppose him for what he does. He was criticised many times for doing this odd job. There was a situation when Ayub ran away from his home after severe criticisms from his father. He started working in a water purification plant in Bangalore. Ayub got some money from his boss as a reward for his excellent work. He visited Lal Bagh with this money and during the visit, found an unidentified dead body. He picked up the body, called the police, and handed over it. He then realised there is nothing wrong with this job and there is no need of guilt feeling. He then came back to Mysore and still carries on his selfless work.
What Ayub needs is to be remembered by people even after his death and promises to continue this initiative till his end.
Anyone can reach him at his number 9900400719
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