MEERUT: Facing “neglect from their own community members and police”, 13 persons of a 20-member Muslim family in Badarka village of Baghpat converted to Hinduism on Tuesday. Akhtar Ali, 68, who is now called Dharam Singh, told TOI that he changed his religion because the family was not provided succour by the local police or members of their own community a few months ago when his 28-year-old son was “murdered”.
13 persons of a 20-member Muslim family in Badarka village of Baghpat converted to Hinduism Hindu Yuva Vahini activists, however, claimed it to be a case of “ghar wapsi” and conducted a havan as part of their “re-induction ceremony” at a local temple on Tuesday. Vande Matram was also sung after the ceremony.
Akhtar Ali, 68, who is now called Dharam SinghVahini’s district president Yogender Tomar said, “It is not a case of conversion, but
reconversion. This family’s ancestors had converted to Islam some 5-6 generations ago. Now, they are back into Hinduism.”
Expand
Three sons of Akhtar Ali, now Dharam Singh, also converted and changed their names from Dilshad to Diler,
Naushad to Narendra and Irshad to Kavi. Those converted also included Akhtar’s three daughters-in-law, two grandsons and four granddaughters.
“My 28-year-old son, Gulhasan, was murdered in Nevada village of Baghpat on July 28 and his body was hanged to make it look like a case of suicide. I approached police a number of times and pleaded with my community members to testify in our favour, but nobody came forward,” Akhtar Ali said.
“Later, a Muslim panchayat was held where we were humiliated instead of being offered any help. Facing non-cooperation from our own community, we decided to change our religion. We hope to get justice now,” Ali said.
The family had submitted an application for conversion to the Baghpat sub-divisional magistrate on Monday.
Baghpat superintendent of police Shailesh Kumar Pandey said the family allegations of police apathy were unfounded. “The family had filed a complaint against four of their relatives. The post-mortem report was inconclusive. Later, they got an FIR filed under IPC’s section 302 (murder) through court. Even at this point, the autopsy report is under consideration by a medico-legal expert. Once his report arrives, we will be able to say anything with certainty,” the SP said.
District magistrate Rishirendra Kumar said, "This is nothing except gimmicks of one family to pressure administration and police to conduct investigation into a case according to their desire and will. On Monday, five persons had come to Baraut tehsil with an application for conversion of 20 of their family members. On Tuesday, the number got reduced to 13. Besides, they are members of Nat community (acrobats) which has people practising multiple faiths."