A group of Muslim youths carry the mortal remains of Ram Lalbihari Premchand to the cemetery

The year began with a caste conflict in Maharashtra. Even as matters went out of hand yesterday in the wake of the Bhima-Koregaon violence and the ensuing political slugfest over it, a relatively quiet neighbourhood in Mumbra presented an inspiring picture of religious and cultural unity. A handful of Muslim youths came together on Tuesday night to help a Hindu family cremate the only male adult member of their family.