Agra: The poor, garbage collecting paupers of an Agra slum are right now in the crossfire of both Hindu and Muslim fundamnetalists. On Wednesday, angry Moulvis told those who had "returned to Hindu fold" that neither Bhagwan nor Allah will forgive them, they may have to perform nikaah (marriage) again and re-enter Islam.
"You have committed a crime", Moulvi Mudassir Khan told the frightened garbage collectors, hailing from West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Most of the 57 poor Muslim families say, they were tricked to return to Hindu fold by Bajrang Dal activists.
The moulvi, however, told them they were officially "neither Hindu nor Muslim" and neither "Bhagwan nor Allah" will forgive them. "You may have to perform the nikaah (wedding) again, make your children go through the Holy Quran again and keep your women in purdah. Only then will be granted mercy and allowed to re-enter Islam, as you people have committed a crime".
Muslim moulvis entered the slum dwelling of 76-year-old Sufia Begum, one of the oldest members among the slumdwellers and told her she still had time to repent. The old woman cringed, wept and said "I will not do this again. Please forgive me." Only on Monday, after the Hindu "shuddikaran" (purification) ceremony, Sufia Begum had said both Ishwar and Allah are the same.
Maulana Masroor Raza Qadri, who claims to represent the Tehriq Tahaffuz Sunniat told Ismail, the leader of the slumdwellers : "You made a mockery of Islam. Allah will never forgive you".
Meanwhile, the local administration has become active and police informers have been posted to keep track of developments in this neglected slum area.
Avneendra Pratap Singh, alias Ajju Chauhan, the local Bajrang Dal leader claimed, he had affidavits signed by the heads of the 57 Muslim families, who re-joined the Hondu fold on Monday voluntarily.
