In Hapur (UP), 45 families convert to Sanatan Dharma from Islam

Hapur (UP) – Salman Khan and 45 families from his extended household have renounced Islam and embraced Sanatan Dharma. Following the conversion, Salman Khan changed his name to Sansar Singh. He also renamed his grandfather Shyamlal Singh. After the grandfather’s demise, his last rites were performed according to Hindu traditions at Brijghat. Subsequently, his ashes were immersed, and the family performed a purification ritual by taking a holy dip in the river Ganga, formally accepting Sanatan Dharma. As they were unaware of their original Gotra (lineage), they adopted the name Gaurishankar Gotra in reverence to Deity Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Returning to their roots, Sansar Singh stated, “The welfare of Hindus in the country is secure, and we feel proud to have embraced Sanatan Dharma.” His family originally hailed from Islamabad, Pakistan. Their ancestors were Hindus but were coerced into converting to Islam during the Mughal era. After India’s independence and the partition, the family decided to remain in India, relocating from Islamabad to Delhi. Today, their extended family includes over 150 members spanning more than 45 families. According to Sansar Singh, the decision to leave Islam and embrace Sanatan Dharma was made nearly four years ago. However, opposition from certain individuals created uncertainty within the family. Finally, his grandfather decided that the family members would begin following Hindu traditions, observing fasts, festivals, and rituals. He also decreed that after his demise, his last rites would be conducted as per Hindu customs at Brijghat and his name recorded in the family lineage. In line with his wishes, Sansar Singh performed the rites and later registered the family members’ names in the lineage records under the guidance of priest Ankur Sharma.

Proud to return to Sanatan Dharma

Sansar Singh and his relative Sanju expressed their pride in returning to their ancestral faith. “Our ancestors were forced to adopt Islam under unfavourable circumstances. For years, our family dreamed of returning to our original faith but lacked the courage to do so. Now, with the welfare of Hindus safeguarded in the country, we are proud to have embraced Sanatan Dharma.”

Editorial Perspectives

• The Union Government should implement a special scheme for those whose ancestors were forced to accept Islam and Christianity by the invaders, and the descendants of whom now wish to return to Hindu Dharma.

• The ‘Shuddhikaran Chalval’ (cleansing ritual prior to accepting Hindu Dharma) initiated by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 350 years ago, must now be considered and given a royal patronage.