Over 800 Valmikis Self Declared Conversion To Islam To Save Hourses From Demolition In UP

15 April, Rampur (UP)

Uttar Pradesh, more than 800 Valmikis, fighting civic authorities to save their houses from demolition in Rampur, have reportedly converted to Islam.

They had issued a threat to do so about a week ago when they said that they have no option but to change their faith. ​Panic had gripped the Valmiki families in Rampur after civic authorities allegedly painted red marks on their houses a few days ago. ​Rampur district magistrate Chandra Prakash Tripathi refused to comment on the conversion.

Cabinet Minister in the UP government Azam Khan’s media in-charge Fasahat Ali Khan said that those converting to Islam should clearly understand that this is not going to help them in any manner as encroachment of public land in any form by any community is totally unacceptable.

There was high drama for most of the day as the Valmiki families went ahead with their self-announced conversion amid heavy police deployment in the area. Though a cleric from Amroha, who was set to assist in their conversion, did not turn up, the Valmikis sported skull caps and declared that they were henceforth to be considered Muslim.​