Nine Muslims held in MP for ‘conversions’

“The Dalit members had read Kalma in the local mosque in the presence of these nine persons, including a Kazi, six or seven months ago. There was no ceremony as such but they had accompanied the Dalits,” in-charge of Khaniyadhana Police Station Y S Jadaun told The Indian Express.

He was unable to explain how the nine Muslims were arrested under the anti-conversion law when the very people they had been accused of converting to Islam had been reconverted to Hinduism at the town’s Hanuman temple.

The reconversion ceremony had taken place a day after Maniram Jatav, Tularam Jatav and three other family members were arrested and released on bail. “Nobody has informed us about the reconversion,” he claimed.

Maniram and others had been brought to the police station by members of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad before being taken to the nearby temple.

The arrests were made on Wednesday. “The police misled us before arresting them. I was asked to bring them to the police station where they were taken into custody,” said municipal councilor Sajjad Ali. He claimed none of the arrested Muslims is a Kazi. Most of them are goat traders and offer regular Namaz, he said, adding how the arrest took place when no Dalit member has accused any one of offering money or other enticement.

“This is victory of Bajrang Dal and VHP. Had we not remained alert many more conversions would have taken place. The arrests have followed our campaign,” Bajrang Dal leader Manoj Sharma said.