Thirteen members of a Muslim family converted to Hinduism yesterday in Baghpat. As per latest reports, they decided to convert to Hinduism as they were not getting any support from the Muslim community after a 28-year old member of their family was allegedly “murdered”. The thirteen members of the 20-member family were helped by Hindu Yuva Vahini, an organisation that works for the welfare of Hindus but also helps those who want to embrace Hinduism. The conversion took place in accordance with Hindu rites and the converted individuals adopted new names thereafter. Earlier, all twenty members of the family had submitted an affidavit to the Baraut SDM stating that they were converting to Hinduism out of their free consent.
Akhtar Ali, 68, who is now called Dharam Singh, confirmed that he changed his religion due to lack of support from their community after their 28 year old son was murdered. He said, “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.” Three sons of Akhtar Ali also embraced Hinduism along with his three daughters-in-law, two grandsons and four granddaughters. Akhtar Ali also stated that a Muslim panchayat was held where his family was humiliated instead of getting any help. Facing non-cooperation from his own community, his family decided to convert and is now hopeful of getting justice.
The aggrieved family had shifted to Navada village from Badarka village in Baghpat in search of better prospects. Deceased’s brother Dilshan has stated, “We shifted because several of our relatives lived there, it is Muslim-dominated area and because it is closer to Delhi, we expected better fortune.” However, the family was in for a huge shock. On July 22, Gulshan was found hanging on the roof of his store. The victim family alleged that this was a work of their business rivals. Dilshad further claims that due to a scuffle involving one of their cousins on July 11, people in the locality did not like his family. As far as Gulshan is concerned, the police cleared his case as a suicide after the autopsy report but the victim family cried foul. While they were running from pillar to post, no one from their community came forward to help them. Finally, they got an FIR registered against the accused through court intervention. The family thus felt disenchanted towards their own community and embraced Hinduism in hope of better support and Justice.
This incident shows the very characteristic of the Hindu religion. It is open to everyone who wants to embrace it and serves as a support system. However, at the same time it does not target anyone for conversion. Hindus, by the very nature of their religion come to the rescue of those who are disenchanted with their own religion/ community. In this case, it is commendable how the Hindu community immediately came to the support and rescue of Gulshan’s family which is in search of social support and Justice. However, they were not at all influenced and induced by any unfair means. They embraced Hinduism out of their own free will and once they did so, the Hindu community ensured sufficient support for the process of conversion.