A woman formerly known as Haseena Bi and her three sons renounced Islam and embraced Sanatan Dharma in a solemn Ghar Wapsi held at the Mahadevgarh Mandir in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh. The event was marked by traditional Vedic rituals, spiritual chants, and a deep sense of return—not just to a religion, but to what the family described as their ancestral heritage.
The Ghar Wapsi was organised by the Mahadevgarh Mandir committee, with complete adherence to Vedic rituals and traditions. The family—led by the mother and her three sons—underwent Shuddhi Karan (purification rites), including a yagya, abhishek (ceremonial bathing of the deity), and full Vedic chanting by Pandits. The entire Mandir complex reverberated with mantras from the Rigveda and Yajurveda as the family was ritually re-inducted into the Sanatan fold.
Mandir Pandits explained that this was not a superficial act. “This is a samskar, a spiritual rebirth. The rites performed today are the same as those done for those who had strayed from the Dharma and have now chosen to return with full awareness and reverence,” said one of the Pandits.
Haseena Bi has now taken on the name Rukmani, a name steeped in devotion, symbolising her spiritual rebirth and her new identity as a follower of Sanatan Dharma. Her sons too have changed their names:
- Farid is now Akshay
- Rasib is now Rajkumar
- Aslam is now Ajay
These names were not arbitrarily chosen. “Each name was selected to reflect auspiciousness, strength, and a renewed identity rooted in Dharmic values,” said Ashok Paliwal, the Mandir’s patron and coordinator of the ceremony.
Speaking to the media and those present, Rukmani explained the reasons behind her decision in a calm yet emotionally charged voice. “This was not a decision made in haste or under any pressure. For years, my heart had been drawn towards Sanatan Dharma. Its inclusiveness, its reverence for nature, its message of Dharma and Karma—these values had already started taking root in my mind and soul,” she said.
Rukmani, who comes from a modest background, stated that she had done her own reading of Hindu scriptures and followed the teachings of Sant Ravidas and Bhagwan Ram over the past year. “This is not a rejection of anyone, but a full embrace of truth. I did this out of complete devotion and inner conviction. My soul called me back to the Dharma of my ancestors,” she added.
She also shared that her ancestors were originally Hindus before they were converted to Islam generations ago, most likely during the times of Islamic invasions and socio-political coercion in Central India. “This is Ghar Wapsi—we are simply returning to where we once belonged,” Rukmani affirmed.
This incident is not isolated. According to Ashok Paliwal, more than a dozen Ghar Wapsi ceremonies have been conducted at Mahadevgarh Mandir in 2025 alone. “People are reawakening to the call of Dharma. Many realise that their ancestral faith was Sanatan Dharma, and now they want to reconnect with it voluntarily and spiritually,” he said.
The Mandir committee shared that inquiries regarding Ghar Wapsi have significantly increased over the past two years. “We do not engage in forced conversion. We only facilitate the return of those who come with conviction and full understanding of the process,” Paliwal emphasised.
The organisers reiterated that the ceremony was conducted peacefully, without any political or communal provocation. “We strictly follow the constitutional right of freedom of religion. What we saw here was an exercise of individual liberty and spiritual awakening,” said one of the event’s volunteers.
Mandir authorities also presented Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and introductory texts on Hindu culture and dharma to the family. The Mandir Pandits committed to offering spiritual mentorship and support to help the family transition fully into their new religious life. The community present at the Mandir welcomed the family with garlands, tilak, and blessings, marking the moment with songs and chants praising Bhagwan Shiva.
