World

Indian family reverts to Islam months after adopting Hinduism under 'ghar wapsi' campaign

The family had converted to Hinduism five months ago after being enticed with ‘lucrative offer of owing land’

Web Desk May 02, 2015

AGRA: As many as 17 people from the Indian city of Agra reverted to Islam, nearly five months after they had 'converted' to Hindusim on December 25 last year under a controversial 'ghar wapsi' campaign.

The conversion took place on Friday at the Mahuar Lathia village in the Achnera block of the district. Those who reverted all belonged to the ‘Nat’ community who are gypsies living in the slums.

Read: In India, 800 Valmiki Hindus convert to Islam to save homes from demolition

The 70-year-old head of the family, Rehmat, his children and grandchildren all recited the ‘kalma’ and were supervised by the head of an organisation spearheaded by clerics.

According to Rehmat, his son Ali Muhammad had pressurised the family to make the decision, while according to the latter, he only did so when he was assured by a Hindu leader that they will be handed over the possession of land, something underprivileged families in the country can only dream about.

Ali, himself, later converted to Islam as well.

Read: Discord in India: BJP lawmaker plans mass conversion of Muslims, Christians

The Muslim community in the city had reacted strongly to the conversion campaign by Hindus, and barred those who had converted from attending marriage ceremonies. They were told that they could only do so after reverting to Islam.

Read: How come Hindu men aren’t converting, only marriageable young girls?

Moreover, according to a Mufti of the city, the status of marriage between a couple becomes void if one of them converts to another religion. Therefore, couples among the 17 men and women will have to retake their marriage vows.

The story originally appeared on BBC Urdu

COMMENTS (21)

Tyggar | 9 years ago | Reply It is amusing to see Pakistanis still seeking vindication for the creation of Pakistan even after 60 years of existence.

Renee | 9 years ago | Reply I feel sorry for Indians, I really do. Their population is divided, their citizens are split, it's sad. Truly the two nation theory is vindicated, you can't live secularly with people of starkly opposing religions if you are a religious minded nation of people. We are not a live and let live kind of race. Love of religion comes to us naturally as well as obedience to its rulings. Secularism can't exist as it is a flawed concept that goes against human nature. What we read here is an example of that. Religion and spirituality, is by far and large coming from within. No matter how much it is politicized and given financial cover ups etc etc, it is what it is. A true Muslim will never convert to any other religion. And for extremest elements in indian GOVT to expect that is ridiculous. As for those comparing terrorist and extremist elements, well here's the thing, neither the pakistani government nor people are condoning it. We also treat them as extremists. There is absolutely no concept of forced conversion in Islam. Indians, on the other hand, just voted those people in who are now doing all this. So huge difference there...

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Tyggar | 9 years ago | Reply Even after rehab there will be some mentally weak drug addicts who always go back to drugs

phew | 9 years ago | Reply Haha, Good job Modi! You still cant manage to shake people's religion

Not Indian | 9 years ago | Reply Will Pakistan's liberals condemn these forced conversions as well? Or are they just going to keep crying about Balochistan?

llll | 9 years ago | Reply This should be shown to every one who still thinks India is secular.

Pics | 9 years ago | Reply Well, what did we expect from the Modi govt except for forced conversions?

Newark | 9 years ago | Reply This is the reality of India whose citizens ride on imaginary high horses.

Mohil Patel | 9 years ago | Reply If Muslims have converted back as Muslims, then what about the Hindus that were forced to convert? More than 800 were forced to save their houses.

Ram Dargad | 9 years ago | Reply @ny: This news confirms that in India, nobody can be forced to convert forever. People can be induced by monetary benefits or misled temporarily by false promises. This was being done by Christian Missionaries in a big way. Now some misguided Hindus are trying to reconvert them back. ''at least our govt doesnt try to forcefully convert our minorities to Islam''? In last 50 years, Muslim percentage in India increased from 9% to 14 %, thanks to illegal migration from East Pakistan & higher birth rate. From 1050 to 1971 - percentage of Hindus in East Pakistan was reduced from 24% to 13% by outbound migration, forced conversions & killings. These are Wikipedia figures. No exact figures available for west Pakistan but the Hindus there are decimated, below 2%.

Adnan | 9 years ago | Reply "At least India is following its native religion born from its own culture and heritage." Lol yeah no matter how absurd it is? Actually, that is a shame!

the Skunk | 9 years ago | Reply @Nero: Maybe you should do some very serious introspection or go back to school to understand the basics of history and the ingress of Muhammad Bin Qasim.

usman777 | 9 years ago | Reply ummm Nero - please read up on the origin of Aryans and Indo-European language history to determine who is native and who is not native culture and religion. you know what they say about glass houses and stones.

xulfjan | 9 years ago | Reply @instagram: Remind us how do we treat our own minorities before we point fingers to India...

Bombay Wallet | 9 years ago | Reply well, I dont understand how a person can become hindu or muslim just by doing something under any compain or otherwise and media makes news? I think a person shall try to become Human. Thats what all religions want us to become..a nice human..isnt it?

wb | 9 years ago | Reply "The Muslim community in the city had reacted strongly to the conversion campaign by Hindus, and barred those who had converted from attending marriage ceremonies. They were told that they could only do so after reverting to Islam." Now, this is called forced conversion. But as always, logic and reasoning is not something Muslims do well.

Nero | 9 years ago | Reply @ny: At least India is following its native religion born from its own culture and heritage. Pakistan is following the identity and religion of its conqueror. That is a shame!!!!

Joakim | 9 years ago | Reply @ny: Your Govt does not forcefully convert people, but the radical Islamic groups do kidnap, rape, terrorize and co-erce and convert people in Pakistan. The Govt supports those acts or simply ignores that. That is how the Hindu Population in Pakistan has come from 10% to 1% now.

instagram | 9 years ago | Reply LOL this is "secular and shining" India everyone....where the govt's allies are directly converting people to Hinduism. And these people have the guts to criticise Pakistan whose army and LEAs are hunting down radical elements who even think about doing forceful conversions.

Kalaam | 9 years ago | Reply These people have the right idea. They don't take religion too seriously. Economic interests matter more and they will happily recite any verse or scripture if it serves their material needs.

ny | 9 years ago | Reply Two nation theory vindicated. This is the reality of so called "secular India". This is the reality of those who try to mock us for "religious intolerance". Say what you want Indians, but at least our govt doesnt try to forcefully convert our minorities to Islam.Thank you Jinnah. Have fun living in the Hindu Republic Of India under Modi my friends from across the border.

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