Over three years later, Manjuma Iqbal was awarded a cheque of Rs 45,000 today as part of the coveted “Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak”. The award was approved by the by President of India.

But there was no ceremony. Iqbal met and received the cheque from District Magistrate Veena Kumari Meena as if it was just another transaction.

“I expected at least a token ceremony where I could narrate what happened that terrible day. But when I went to the Rifle Club on the Collectorate premises, I was made to stand in queue with people who had come to submit grievances with the DM,” Manjuma told The Indian Express. She was called inside later “as if I was there for a routine job. The DM just handed me the cheque and asked me to sign a receipt.”

Iqbal’s husband, social worker Badruddin Ahmad, has decided to write to the President. “We wanted to return the honour, but that would have brought disgrace to the highest office of the country,” he said.

On November 21, 2007, Iqbal had received the letter from Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta regarding the award.

Later, when she went to the DM’s office in Varanasi, she was told that either the DM herself will visit the family at their Raza Colony residence or as per protocol, a car will be sent to bring them to the DM’s office to receive the cheque.

“This is an insult to a mother who lost her son, but saved many other mothers from losing theirs. I did not save the children for a reward. But since the President has given recognition to the act, maybe it deserved a small ceremony,” she said tearfully. “ Had we not been Muslims, may be the DM would have treated us better.”

DM Meena refused to comment on the issue.