He demolished Babri that day; building mosques, spreading Islam today

News Network
December 6, 2017

Balbir Singh, an enthusiastic Shiv Sena leader from Panipat, was one of the prominent Karsevaks that furiously claimed majestic dome of the historic Babri Masjid raising the slogans of Jai Sri Ram on December 6, 1992. The only goal of his life was to see a glorious Ram Mandir on the Babri mosque land. 

But, today (December 6, 2017), he observed the 25th anniversary of the demolition of Babri mosque by repenting for his past actions and spreading the message of Islam among the non-Muslims.

Balbir Singh is one of the karsevaks that not only realised their crime, but also embraced Islam years ago. The same Balbir Singh is now popular as Mohammed Aamir, who spends most of his time by trying to convince non-Muslims why one should read Quran.

Singh’s transformation is all the more dramatic as he is known as the first karsevak on the dome to raze the Babri mosque for which he received a hero’s welcome as he returned to his home town, Panipat. Two bricks were carried back by him which are still kept in the Shiv Sena's office there.

However, the task of assassinating Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, a Muslim cleric in Deoband changed the course of Singh’s life. As per plan he reached Deoband.  But, after listening to the religious sermons of the Maulana, Singh confronted him not as an enemy but as someone "who had sinned against the house of God."

It was then he embraced Islam. But the conversion has not been easy. Today, Aamir, has left his home town Panipat far behind to settle in Hyderabad where he is married to a Muslim lady. In another twist of fate, Aamir also runs a school to spread the teachings of Islam.

Aamir and his fellow karsevak Yogendra Pal (who is now known as Mohammed Umar) have vowed to construct and renovate 100 mosques during their lifetime as repentance for what they had done. “So far we have managed 40,” says Aaamir.

It isn't just Balbir Singh or Yogendra Pal who played key role in Babri demolition and then embraced Islam. Many other karsevaks too are doing their best to exorcise the memories of shame and guilt. Shive Prasad, a former youth leader of the Bajrang Dal in Ayodhya, is one of them.

Prasad had given training to about 4,000 karsevaks and he and his team had actively participated in pulling down the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

Within a year after the demolition, Prasad went deep into depression, suffering bouts of hallucination, blaming himself for having committed an "unforgivable sin." Prasad visited psychiatrists, tantriks and saints but there was no peace in his mind. For the next five years, he lived the life of a recluse and in 1997, he went to Sharjah to seek employment. In 1999, he formally embraced Islam in Sharjah and became Mohammed Mustafa.

Mustafa’s journey towards atonement has not been easy. He has been ostracised by his family and the Sangh Parivar has threatened to kill him should he ever return to India. 

Comments

True Indian
 - 
Friday, 8 Dec 2017

In reply to by gabber

Angry mind will destroy your life and others life. Think cool and embrace Islam 

gabber
 - 
Thursday, 7 Dec 2017

Suvin

 

your name remembers the old sholay dialogue, " suar ka bacchee"

 

dont take serious, joking

 

Mohammed
 - 
Thursday, 7 Dec 2017

Dear Mr.Suvin,

 

Picture of the person produced go and enquire... even you will embrace islam... Islam never hate people but it   will make you love one another unlike karshevaks who killed so many people during 1992 and demolised one of the old Masjid...

suvin
 - 
Wednesday, 6 Dec 2017

ha ha funny story..... unable to belive 

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coastaldigest.com news network
July 20,2020

Mangaluru, Jul 20: Former Union Minister B Janardhana Poojary has urged the people not to be afraid of coronavirus and lead a healthy lifestyle as he was discharged from hospital after completely recovering from covid-19.

The 83-year-old Billawa stalwart was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city for over two weeks as he was tested positive for the coronavirus. Today he was discharged from the hospital. 

“There is no need to be worried about the covid-19. People should consume nutritious and immunity boosting food and lead a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

He also urged the people to follow all necessary guidelines such as maintaining physical distance, wearing masks and washing hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus.

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News Network
July 13,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 13:  Karnataka Deputy chief minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan on Monday urged chief minister BS Yediyurappa to cancel the license of private hospitals and private medical colleges which did not hand over their 50 per cent beds, to the government, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister's Office said.

On June 26, the Karnataka government reserved about 50 per cent for COVID-19 patients in some private hospitals in Bengaluru.

Earlier in the day, former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the state government should provide vitamin C drug, Ayush Ministry-certified immunity boosters and sanitisers to every household in the wake of the coronavirus spread.

According to the Union Health Ministry, Karnataka has recorded 38,843 cases of COVID-19 to date.

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News Network
February 26,2020

Mangaluru, Feb 26: The 'Yakshagana' stage in Karnataka is witnessing a curious spectacle with a Muslim woman artiste creating waves with her performances.

Arshiya, the artiste from Vittal in Dakshina Kannada district, is the first woman from the Muslim community to venture into the popular traditional theatre art form.

At one time, women were barred from Yakshagana stages.

A Muslim woman exponent on stage has attracted the attention of 'Yakshagana' lovers in the state.

Arshiya is now getting advanced training in her skills at the Kadali Kala Kendra under Ramesh Bhat here.

Arshiya, who is fond of 'Bannada Vesha' (villain roles), is now known in her stage name 'Tanu Vitla.'

She has already performed various episodes on stage and gained popularity.

Arshiya, currently working in an automobile showroom at Padil, said she was attracted to the art form from a very young age.

The initial enchantment with the art form came as she saw the role of Mahishasura in 'Sri Devi Mahatme Yakshagana Prasanga' (episode) performed near her home town.

She was attracted to all the elements of the art form, which combines music, percussion, dance, dialogues, stage techniques, make-up and costume.

Arshiya said she was also inspired by a teacher in her school at Vittal who trained her for a performance on stage during the school's annual day celebration.

She started performing on local stages at Vittal at the very young age of 10.

Arshiya now performs prominent roles on stage including Mahishasura in Sri Devi Mahatme Prasanga, the role which enamoured her in her childhood.

She also has donned the roles of Nishambhasura, Rakthabeejasura, Srinivas Kalyana, Sudarshanopakyana, Kadamba Kaushike and Shambavi Vijaya.

Her performances at Udupi and Karwar besides Mangaluru have earned her a lot of admirers, who love her 'Asura' roles, thanks to her loud voice.

Arshiya now wants to learn the 'Chende' (percussion instrument), which is an important element in Yakshagana performances.

Arshiya revealed that there was a bit of resistance from her community about her passion for the art form, but she had staunch backing of her family.

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