Sikh girl offers her kidney to a Muslim friend in IoK

The 23-year-old hopes to bridge communal gap

Manjot Singh, a 23-year-old Sikh girl from Indian Occupied Kashmir, offered her kidney to a Muslim girl Samreen, suffering from a kidney ailment which requires a transplant, India Times reported.

Manjot, who is a perfect match for her Muslim friend, has offered to donate her kidney despite disapproval from her family.

However, the authorisation committee for the transplant is facing difficulties clearing the case "since the father of the donor has made a representation cautioning against removing the kidney of his daughter for the transplant".

"We can't blame them (family). They are emotionally attached to their kid. I cannot say they are wrong. From their point of view what they are doing is right. But I think rising above the emotions, we should do what God has sent us for. All the relations will stay here and saving a life is most important. Plus I am an adult and can take decisions of my own,"  Manjot told an Indian newspaper.



The donor hails from Udhampur in IoK, where she met Samreen four years ago and they have been friends ever since. "I am a social activist and she used to participate in my activities so we became good friends. Five months back, I read a Facebook status of our common friend about Samreen. I was confused about whether she is the same Samreen. Next day I took the flight to meet her," said Manjot, who also is the youngest women entrepreneur of the state and chairperson of an NGO named 'International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council'.

Samreen is currently admitted to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar. She was previously enrolled in a masters programme which she dropped out from because of her ailment.

Speaking about her friend, Samreen said, "For the last four months, she has not budged from her stand. She is the finest example of true friendship."

However Samreen's father, Mukhtar Ahmad Malik showed his concern saying, "I am a simple tailor and have spent Rs 7-8 lakh for treatment. But her condition is deteriorating by the day. Even after Manjot offered the kidney and completed all the formalities, her father is not accepting. I have told her that family is her priority and she should back out."

The Medical Superintendent of SKIMS Dr Farooq Jan said that the donor's father has asked the institute not to allow the girl to donate her kidney.



Manjot’s family is also against her decision, but she remains resolute.

“I’m not scared of anything. My only concern is that humanity should not lose out. My family has got swayed by emotion … but I shall go ahead anyway,” Manjot told another news agency.

“My strong belief in humanity is motivating me, and you can see the communal harmony my decision is creating. Had my family supported me, it would have made me very happy.” “But I’m an adult and nothing bars me legally from donating my kidney,” she said.

Samreen who undergoes regular dialysis at the hospital thanked her friend for her efforts to rescue her life.

“My mother wanted to donate her kidney but she was declared unfit because of a rare medical condition. We hoped some other relatives might come forward but none did,” she said. “All I want is that the hospital wastes no more time.”