In a rare socio-cultural shift, several Muslim families in Dehari village of Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur district have started using Hindu surnames like Dubey and Tiwari, claiming Hindu ancestry. They have also embraced practices such as cow service, and traditional Hindu rituals to honor their lineage.
Located about 45 km from Jaunpur’s district headquarters, Dehari village has a predominantly Muslim population. The trend reportedly began two years ago when some villagers traced their ancestry, sparking widespread curiosity and debate. After that around 30 to 35 Muslim families in the village have adopted surnames such as Dubey, Tiwari, Thakur, and Kayastha, claiming historical ties to these castes.
The issue came into the limelight when Naushad Ahmed from Dehri printed his wedding invitation card with the name “Naushad Ahmed Dubey.†When asked about the reason, Naushad explained, “Our ancestors were Hindus. I am reclaiming my ancestral gotra (clan) name.â€
Naushad further shared that his ancestors were originally from Azamgarh and belonged to the Dubey clan. “Seven generations ago, one of our forefathers, Lal Bahadur Dubey, converted to Islam and took the name Lal Mohammad,†he said. After learning about his family’s Hindu lineage, Naushad connected with a Hindu organization and now lives in a spirit of religious harmony.
“I have been using the Dubey surname for two years. If people reconnect with their roots, half the hatred in society will vanish,†Naushad said. “I oppose titles like Sheikh, Mirza, or Syed. I even discovered my gotra - it is Vats. Our ancestors were Dubeys. I am not discussing religion but promoting harmony.†However, Naushad clarified that no other member of his immediate family has adopted the surname yet.
The trend is not limited to Naushad. Sheikh Abdullah has also added “Dubey†to his name after tracing his Hindu Brahmin lineage. Other residents, including Syed Shandilya, Irshad Pandey, Thakur Gufran, and Israr Ahmed Dubey, echoed similar sentiments. “We urge everyone to reconnect with their roots,†they said collectively.
Another resident, Ehtesham Ahmed, acknowledged his Hindu roots but said he found no reason to change his surname. The villagers denied any external pressure behind their decision, dismissing speculations of coercion. The phenomenon has sparked interest and debate, especially in the context of recent comments by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, who has emphasised that Muslims in India are descendants of Hindus who converted to Islam generations ago.
However, skeptics have raised questions about the timing of the ancestral search, noting that only one member from each family seems to have adopted a Hindu surname so far. Whether this is a personal journey or part of a broader socio-political narrative remains a topic of intense discussion in the region.
