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Questions the motives behind the marriages between Hindu girls and Muslim boys.
"I have not been enticed by anyone. I am an adult and am in love with Sher Muhammed. His love hasled me to Islam," said Geeta, who has since changed her name to Aisha, before local journalists at the Saddar police station in Jacobadad. "I have disowned my past and my family on my own will. I have accepted Islam which, I swear by Allah, is a sacha deen (the true religion).Now we will live and die together." With the court process and legal necessities completed, the couple confessed their eternal love for each other and were allowed to live as husband and wife.
Twenty year old Geeta, who lived in Bhittai bazaar in Jacobabad, fell in love with 26-year-old Sher Muhammed, her familydriver.She fled with him to his village Laal Bux, where she converted to Islam and took the name Aisha. Her ailing mother registered an FIR of rape and kidnapping against Sher Muhammed at the local police station. They were arrested by the police and kept in custody.
However, when on 16th April, Aisha declared that after having accepted Islam, she had married Sher, the court created no obstacles for the couple. "This is parsaad for you, my sweet daughter," the weeping mother was heard telling her daughter, who refused to accept it.
The issuance of aconversion certificate is not a problem for the sajjada nasheen of Dargah Aliya Amrot Sharif.Many are known to obtain a certificate here, particularly asHindu girls convert before the gaddi-nasheen. In May this year, 19-year-oldRani, a Hindu from Hyderabad, fled with Deedar Thaheem to convert at the Dargah Amrot Sharrif."I've been in love with him for the last five years. I will be with him till my last breath," she announced to a local journalist.
In April, another 18- year-old Hindu girl, Kaweeta, became a Muslim and married her partner Aijaz Ahmed. Ateacher by profession, she fell in love with Aijaz, a clerk at the Cambridge school in Jacobabad."She was the sole source of the family income," says a local citizen. "Her father was ill and retired." When news of their liaison broke out in the school, the management dismissed her and she then joined another school. The affair, however, continued.
They fled to Qambar, where she converted to Islam at the Dargah of Sayed Hussain Shah Bokhari and adopted a new name, Shabana. Clad in a yellow outfit, Kaweeta gave a statement in court: "We now want to start a promising new life." Aijaz reaffirmed her sentiments. The court decided in their favour and allowed them to live together.
In a land where such relationships are frowned upon, many people feel that girls from minority communities,who convert to Islam, are given protection by religious zealots. "They think they are serving their religion,"says a resident of Jacobabad.When such cases occur, militant organizations are quick to ensure that the couple is protected. In many instancesthey have gatheredoutside the court till a decision is announced.
Last year in Shikarpur, Laxmi, a married Hindu woman, ran away from home with a Muslim man, Murad Shaikh. Although she converted to Islam, she soon felt "guilty" about her decision."She was captured in a couple of days by the leaders of areligious party who also sought the help of the police," said a local insider. When Laxmi was brought before the civil court, her mother, Gullan, askedto meet her in private. When the granted her permission, religious militants reportedly attacked the court. The police was immediately deployed on the premises and Gullan was unable to meet Laxmi.
"You cannot rule out the hand of fundamentalist groups in this phenomena," said Eshwar Laal, Mukhi of the Hindu panchayat in Sukkur."While many do indeed fall inlove, more often that not, that is not the case. Whatever the reason, this is weakening the Hindu community."
"Love is a universal thing," argues Bajandas, the president of the District Bar in Sukkur. "But why are love affair between Muslim girls and Hindu boys rare? I believe it is because the Hindu community cannot afford these kind of relationships. There may be 'silent love affairs' but they will never dare to come out with it."
"Because the Hindu community is not socially protected, we have to suffer, like we have beenfor the last 53 years", said a young student in Jacobabad. However, there may be some hope in sight. "After the joint electorate we may be protected by the sardars. and waderas," said Eshware Laal.
There have been some cases of failed relationships as well.Seema, a21-year-old girl from Obauro converted to Islam after falling in love with Manthar. She left her family and married him but soon after decided she no longer wanted to remain in the relationship. Unfortunately, her parents refused to forgive her and Seeta committed suicide.In Kandhkot, 20-year-old Bably eloped with a Muslim tailor, Muhub, but soon left him when she could not deal with his family's restrictions of purdah. Fortunately for her, her parents were supportive of her .
The president of a Hindu panchayat (who does not wish to be named) in upper Sindh, said, "When a Hindu girl leaves her home and flees with someone, it is not seen as a big crime.Moreover, as we are a minority and do not enjoy the protection of the police or other state institutions, we cannot do anything to prevent such acts of humiliation.
People in upper Sindh still remember the tragic love story of a young Hindu man, Pawan Kumar, who was in his fourth year at Liaquat Medical College, Jamshoro.He fell in love with Saima, a beautiful 23-year-old womanfrom a tribal caste in Sukkur. When Saima's family discovered their relationship, they were both killed with axes and their bodies were thrown into the river.
Poverty, the caste system and community
bigotry all play a role in the result of such tragic incidents. "Religious
groups are inciting individuals to lure girls from the Hindu community.
They tell youngsters to do what they have to do and that they will do the
rest," said a local journalist. What was once a matter of love has now
turned into a matter of faith - and innocent victims have to pay a price.
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