Gujarat parents try to burn HIV+ son

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Gujarat parents try to burn HIV+ son

11 Aug 2008, 0350 hrs IST,

SURAT: Narendra Dholi, a 17-year-old fisherman from a small fishing village in

Valsad's Umbergaon taluka, would have been languishing in a Pakistan jail for

years after he was caught in the waters of the neighbouring country earlier this

year. But, jail authorities found out that he was HIV positive and promptly

shipped him back to India.

However, instead of rejoicing, Narendra regrets his freedom today. In the last

two months, he has been ostracised, beaten up on a number of occasions and

subjected to harassment by his parents, who consider HIV God's curse on evil

souls.

Two days ago, Narendra's father Uttam Dholi tried to set him ablaze by

sprinkling kerosene on him when he was sleeping at night. But he woke up just in

time and saved himself.

" They don't want me alive after they heard about my HIV status in a Mumbai

hospital. They do not give me food. My father comes home drunk and beats me

up, " said Narendra, who has fled home in Jamburi village, and lives on the

streets in Vapi.

Narendra was jailed by Pakistani security officials in February after his boat

strayed into Pakistani waters. He fell ill after a few days in a juvenile

lock-up. The Pakistani government released him after he was diagnosed with

tuberculosis and tests revealed he was HIV positive.

He was flown from Karachi to Mumbai and immediately rushed to KEM Hospital. The

Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) was instrumental

in the youth's release in May. Jatin Desai, India representative of PIPFPD,

said, " We will make efforts to provide for the youth and get him a shelter in

Mumbai. "

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