Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, July 10
Bihar’s Minority Welfare Minister Jama Ahmad Khan claimed that his ancestors were Rajputs of Rajasthan.
“One of my cousin brothers is still a Rajput,” Khan said while responding to reporters on alleged forced conversion in Uttar Pradesh. Khan, the lone BSP MLA from Chainpur (Kaimur) who recently joined the JD(U) and became a minister, said that his ancestors were from Rajasthan and they were Rajputs. “They had converted to Islam later,” he added.
The statement added significance as it came within a week of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat reiterating that DNA (chromosome) of all Indians were same irrespective of religion. He was delivering a speech at a function in Ghaziabad on July 4.
“My grandfather Bhagwan Singh had converted to Islam and shifted to Baiswara in Kaimur district,” Khan said, adding that another member of the family, Jairam Singh, settled in Saraiya in Vaishali district of the State. They are still Hindus, he said and claimed there was no hostility among the families of Hindu and Muslim cousins. “We share family ties and attend family celebrations,” Khan said.
The Minister said another member of the Singh family had migrated to Uttar Pradesh from Rajasthan and maintained family ties.
There were no forced conversions and his ancestors had changed their religion voluntarily. He cautioned there should be no more forced religious conversions as it disturbed social harmony.
In March this year, Jama Ahmad Khan hogged the headlines when his picture as Lord Shiva’s true devotee went viral. He wore Rudraksha mala, applied the sacred ash vibhuti on the forehead and reached the Shiva temple in Kaimur on the occasion of Mahashivratri.
