In Papada village, a community of 200 Nat Muslims alleges harassment and intimidation by Hindu groups, local media, and villagers to abandon Islam
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — In the quiet village of Papada, nestled in the Gairatganj tehsil of Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, a small community of Nat Muslims is fighting to preserve its religious identity. For generations, these 200 Muslims have lived peacefully alongside their Hindu neighbours, but over the past week, their lives have been upended by allegations of forced religious conversion and relentless harassment.
The Nat Muslims of Papada claim that Hindu organisations, local media, and even some villagers are pressuring them to abandon Islam and convert to Hinduism. The community, which has lived in the village for decades, insists they are Muslims by birth and faith, and they are determined to remain so.
In the heart of Papada, a young man stood defiantly, reciting Surah Fatiha, a fundamental prayer in Islam. “If our ancestors were Hindus, they would have been cremated, not buried. We know how to offer Namaaz. We are Muslims,” he declared, his voice steady but filled with emotion.
Nearby, a woman cradled her two children in her lap, her eyes brimming with tears. “They force us to go to temples. They pressure us to become Hindus. We are born Muslims and want to remain Muslims,” she says, her voice trembling. She accused local media of exacerbating their plight, claiming that journalists have harassed her family and twisted their words.
The Nat Muslims of Papada are a marginalised community, living in modest thatched huts and relying on goat rearing and daily labour for survival. Despite their poverty, they take pride in their faith. “We may be poor, but our religion is our identity. We will not give it up,” says Shera Khan, a community elder.
Papada village, home to a mixed population of Yadavs, Gurjars, Kurmis, and Nat Muslims, has become a flashpoint for religious tension. The Nat Muslims allege that members of the Gurjar community, associated with Hindutva groups like Bajrang Dal, are leading the campaign to convert them. They claim that these groups have stopped the construction of a mosque in the village and even assaulted a cleric who came to teach them the Qur’an.
“We wanted to build a mosque, but they stopped us. They beat our Maulana and told him not to return,” says Babban Nat, a village resident. The community has a small, dilapidated Idgah where they gather for Eid prayers, but they lack a proper mosque. For Friday prayers, some villagers travel to Alampur, a nearby village with a larger Muslim population.
The Nat Muslims of Papada are baffled by the claim that their ancestors were Hindus. “If our ancestors were Hindus, why are they buried in our graveyard? Why do we have Muslim names?” asks Kalim Khan, a local journalist who has been documenting the community’s struggles. He points to government records that list the villagers as Muslims and highlights the presence of an ancient Idgah and graves that date back generations.
The community’s religious practices are deeply rooted in Islam. They fast during Ramadan, offer Namaaz, and recite the Qur’an. Sahiba, a young girl from the village, proudly reads verses from the Qur’an to prove her faith. “We are Muslims, and we will remain Muslims,” she says firmly.
The plight of the Nat Muslims is not an isolated incident. Across India, marginalised Muslim communities, particularly those with Dalit or tribal origins, often face pressure to convert to Hinduism. Dr Ayub, a scholar who has studied Dalit Muslims, explains, “These communities are targeted because they are economically and socially vulnerable. Their conversion is seen as a way to bolster Hindu numbers.”
The Sachar Committee report, which examined the socio-economic conditions of Indian Muslims, highlighted the extreme poverty and marginalisation faced by communities like the Nat Muslims. Despite their hardships, they receive little support from mainstream Muslim organisations or the government.
The Nat Muslims of Papada are determined to protect their faith. “We will give up our lives, but we will not give up our religion,” says Sultana Bi, a village elder. Her sentiment is echoed by others in the community, who see their struggle as a fight for their very identity and survival.
The Human Rights Commission has taken note of the allegations and has asked the Raisen district collector to investigate. SDM Pallavi Vaidya has visited the village to record statements, but the community remains anxious about its future.
The Nat Muslims of Papada continue their fight, their story raises urgent questions about religious freedom and the rights of marginalised communities in India. “The constitution guarantees us the right to practice our religion. Why is that right being taken away from us?” asks Kalim Khan.
For now, the Nat Muslims of Papada stand united, their faith unshaken despite the challenges they face. Their message is clear: “We are Muslims, and we will remain Muslims.”
