Amarnath, who hailed from Suri in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, was pursuing Master’s in Performing Arts from Washington University.
“I have been told that Rs 10 to 12 lakh will be required to bring back the body… We don’t have that much money. I don’t know how the body will be cremated there. I am not in a state of mind to take a decision,” said Amarnath’s uncle Shyamal Ghosh.
“One of my relatives from Delhi called me and informed me about it (Amarnath’s murder). She was informed by Amarnath’s friend in the United States. But we have not received any formal information. We are now clueless on what to do next,” the uncle told The Indian Express.
Amarnath lost his parents a few years ago. Being the lone child of his parents, uncle Shyamal and his family were the closest relatives he had.
“My elder brother (Amarnath’s father) Asim Ghosh died about two years ago. He used to work at the local DM’s office. His wife, my elder sister-in-law Sikha Ghosh, died before that. He was the only child of my brother,” said Shyamal.
“I have written to the district administration and police seeking the government’s help to bring back Amarnath’s mortal remains. The officials here have assured me that the letter will be sent to the Chief Minister’s Office. I am hopeful that they will contact Delhi and help us bring the body back,” Shyamal added.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Superintendent of Police (Birbhum) Raj Narayan Mukherjee said that they have not received any official information from anywhere on Amarnath’s death. “What we have come to know is that the family was informed about the death by some acquaintances from the US, but nothing in writing… We have not received any formal information from the External Affairs Ministry or its US counterpart. Until we receive anything officially, we can’t do much,” the SP said.
Meanwhile, in a tweet, popular TV actor Devoleena Bhattacharjee sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to help bring back Amarnath’s body. “Some friends in the US are trying to claim the body but still we have no update about it,” Devoleena posted on X.
According to the family, Amarnath had moved to Washington, United States, around six years ago. “He was trained in Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and Kathak dance forms. He also knew a few other styles like Rabindra Nritya and had received several awards,” said one of his friend.
An alumnus of Kalakshetra, a prestigious Chennai institution, Amarnath was also a recipient of the national scholarship for Kuchipudi from the Ministry of Culture and received the Nritya Kanak Mani Saman at the International Dance and Music Festival in New Delhi.
His Facebook profile has several dancing videos. “He had an interest in cooking and writing too,” the friend added.
Following his murder, the Indian consulate in Chicago said they had taken up the matter with the local police and authorities to investigate the “reprehensible gun attack.” “We are following up the forensic, investigation with police and providing support,” it said.
Washington University, where Ghosh was a student, has condemned his killing as “senseless violence beyond comprehension.” “There are no words to express the pain and anguish Amarnath’s family and friends are experiencing. His death is a terrible shock to us all. This type of senseless violence is beyond comprehension, and we are devastated by this loss. To have this happen in our own St. Louis community is especially heartbreaking,” Anna “Dr G” Gonzalez, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs said in a statement released to all Washington University students, faculty and staff.
According to the St Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the shooting happened at 7:15 pm (local time) on Tuesday at Delmar Boulevard and Clarendon Avenue.