INDIA
Amidst an intensive conversion programme, launched by various Hindu outfits across the country, Pandit Mahender Pal Arya has become the most sought for pracharak (preacher). A foot soldier of Army Samaj for past 30-years, he owes his coveted status, not only for converting to Hinduism from Islam, but he is perhaps the only 'maulvi' or Islamic preachers crossing the religious divide.
Arya, 57, was born into a Muslim household in Kolkata and became as an Imam at Bari Masjid in Barwala, Uttar Pradesh. "Even as an Imam, I never supported religious intolerance preached in Islam,"said Arya. Arya who before adopting Hinduism was known as a maulvi Mehboob Ali, now blames Muslims and scriptures for all ills afflicting the globe.
Arya traces his indoctrination to Arya Samaj, to and Urdu book authored by Swami Satya Prakash Saraswati. "Till 1983, I did not know Hindi and Sanskrit. I read Urdu translation of the book. The book was an eye opener and a turning point in my life," said Arya. Today Arya is a polyglot well versed not only in Urdu and Persian, he had mastered in a madrassa, but also in Hindi and Sanskrit.
Arya says he was reborn when his family including his wife and five children adopted to Hinduism on November 30, 1983. "It was from here that my real journey began. I learnt Hindi and Sanskrit and became a full time worker for International Aryan League." Arya said. Since then he has travelled world over to preach the teachings of Arya Samaj.
While three of his children too have adopted Hinduism and propagate Hindi learning, his wife and two other children are rebels. Arya says they have been misled by Islam and have failed to realise the essence of Hindusim. His family, back home in Kolkotta has snapped ties with him, but Arya has no regrets.
Arya's second wife is a Hindu, who has two children. "My elder daughter is learning Sanskrit. She can recite three Vedas and is also a pracharak," says the proud father.
This Arya Samaji also takes credit of converting 15,000 Muslims to Hinduism and says that ghar wapsi has been an age old concept. "By birth we are all Hindus. We have been doing re-conversion drive for the past hundred years now. The new league is unnecessary gathering media attention," he criticises.
Arya for the past three decades has been doing re conversions all across the country. To his credit he also has several books and articles that questions the teachings of Islam. However his contribution so far were less acknowledged. "I was given an opportunity to speak thirty years back when I adopted Hinduism, after that I have expressed my views on the platform on December 25, when the members of Arya Kendriya Samaj felicitated me at a ceremony in Delhi." Here too Mahender Pal was not given enough time to speak. "They invited me to speak on Swami Shraddhanand, but refused to give me more than ten minutes. I told them, if you really want to know about Swamiji's sacrifice, call me in your prayer meeting and I shall speak," he said before leaving the gathering.
The Iman turned pracharak feels being exploited by the other members of the community, but says it is a small issue in a larger mission, "I am here for a mission. I have been born to save the Hindu dharma. Even if they use me for their convenience, I don't want to complain," said maulvi turned devoted Hindu devotee.
IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs New Zealand match
How To Prepare For The UPSC CSE 2025 Exam?
'India supports dialogue and diplomacy, not war': PM Modi at BRICS Summit
This woman lost in Dubai's desert orders camel via Uber, netizens say 'your camel has arrived'
Good news for Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm gets NPCI nod to..., shares surge over 7%
Fan requests Rohit Sharma to deliver her message to Virat Kohli, here's how Indian captain responded
Rajkummar Rao recalls being scammed in Delhi during struggle days: 'The man had...'
Robbers pose as customers in jewellery shop, what owner did next will leave you shocked
Maharashtra Elections 2024: NCP releases 1st list of 38 candidates; Ajit Pawar to contest from…
Japanese Shah Rukh Khan leaves Bollywood Badshah's fan impressed, social media says...
Will KL Rahul be retained by LSG ahead of IPL Auction? New report provides BIG update, it says...
'Wayanad will have two MPs': Rahul Gandhi after Priyanka files nomination for bypolls
I Want To Talk teaser: Abhishek Bachchan announces his next with Shoojit Sircar, to release on...
Diwali 2024: When is Deepawali, October 31 or November 1? Check dates, mahurat timings and more
JEE Main 2025 exam date to release TODAY: Know how to register, check exam calendar HERE
Jhalmuri fever hits London: Video of British man selling Kolkata-style street food goes viral, watch
SC slams Centre as Delhi air worsens, calls environment laws...
Ex-cricketer suggests replacing KL Rahul with THIS batsman for 2nd Test vs NZ, he is…
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee smashes bottle, hurls it towards Chair in row over Waqf meet
Know how Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani's children Isha Ambani and Akash Ambani got their names
Family finds venomous snakes under their bed, what happened next will leave you in shock
This company's Vice President gets fired after raise and bonus, reason will leave you shocked
Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Financial eyes JVs with Allianz SE in insurance sector
IMD's BIG update: Cyclone Dana forms over Bay of Bengal, to cross Odisha-Bengal coasts on...
This company gifts cars as Diwali bonus, calls its employees celebrities, is owned by…
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan skips her family gathering
When Ratan Tata opened up about his parents separation, first love and childhood, he said...
Blow to Mukesh Ambani ahead of Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani's birthday, Reliance stocks...
Saudi Arabia's futuristic megacity project Neom a big threat to migratory birds? Experts say...
Apple CEO Tim Cook didn’t know about this iPhone feature, left speechless, know here
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio offers superhit Diwali plan, unlimited 5G internet for just Rs...
Bengaluru Rains: Schools closed, WFH advisory for private companies as IMD issues yellow alert
Israel confirms killing of Hashem Safieddine, presumed successor of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah
Big move by Anil Ambani, his company to invest Rs 10000 crore to set up India's largest...
Meet Indian genius, who was born in small town, today leads AI innovations of Google, she is...
Woman stays at luxury resort worth Rs 3 lakh for free, claims she used...
Delhi AQI update: Air quality worsens to 'very poor' level at 349, becomes 'severe' in these areas
PM Modi to hold bilateral talks with Xi Jinping at BRICS Summit today
Odisha, West Bengal brace for Cyclone Dana: How was it named and what it means?
POCSO case: Mumbai Police ask Ekta Kapoor, her mother to appear for questioning tomorrow
Watch: Can you identify all the actors in this clip from 1991?
Priyanka Gandhi to file nomination for Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll today
Meet woman, whose father used to sell milk, cracked UPSC exam with AIR 62 to become...
Delhi: No water supply in Capital for 12 hours on Friday due to…; check list of affected areas
Salman Khan resumes shooting for Sikandar amid death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi
India, Pakistan extend Kartarpur Sahib corridor agreement for five years
DNA TV Show: What is BRICS currency? Is it possible to introduce it today?
IPL 2025: Three-time IPL champion set to join Gujarat Titans as batting coach - Reports
PM Modi, Xi Jinping to hold bilateral meet on sidelines of BRICS Summit on Oct 23, first in 5 years
New Himalayan snake species named after Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio, it will be called…
Cyclone Dana: Schools closed in West Bengal, Odisha for 4 days from...
Delhi govt to provide special assistance of Rs 5000 monthly to...
Rape-accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with bone marrow cancer
IND vs NZ: Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul; Who will find a spot in 2nd Test? India coach says…
Mumbai Police interrogates Ekta Kapoor, her mother Shobha Kapoor in case under POCSO act
Mukesh Ambani may team up with govt to sell food products through...
Bengaluru: Several feared trapped as under-construction building collapses
Best Cheap VPS Hosting Providers: Top Picks for Hosting Under USD 10
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal set to raise Rs 8500 crore, says it is meant to...