Dehri, a small village in eastern Uttar Pradesh, has become the center of attention for a unique trend where a growing number of Muslims are adopting Brahmin surnames, such as Dubey, Pandey, Mishra, and Tiwari, while maintaining their Islamic faith. The village, home to over 7,000 Muslims and 5,000 Hindus, has long been known for its peaceful coexistence between the two communities.
The trend began about two years ago when a group of Muslims in the village, including Naushad Ahmad, discovered their Hindu ancestry. Naushad, who now uses the surname ‘Dubey’, traces his roots to an ancestor, Lal Bahadur Dubey, who converted to Islam eight generations ago. He says that his family had once been addressed as “Panditji,” sparking his curiosity about their origins. After uncovering his lineage, Naushad and others in the village began adding their original Hindu surnames alongside their Muslim names.
Despite their adherence to Islamic practices, many of these villagers also engage in Hindu customs, such as visiting temples and participating in aarti, further symbolizing their desire to bridge the gap between the two communities. However, not all of their relatives are convinced, with some choosing to retain their Muslim surnames.
Naushad Ahmad Dubey, who now identifies as a ‘Gau Bhakt’ (cow devotee), advocates for others to trace their roots and adopt their original surnames, seeing it as a way to promote harmony and unity in the village. He believes that surnames like Sheikh, Pathan, and Sayyad are foreign, while the use of original Hindu surnames will strengthen community bonds.
While some relatives, like Sheikh Mariam Siddiqui, resist the change, the movement continues to gain momentum, with individuals such as Abdullah Sheikh (now Abdullah Sheikh Dubey) and Mohammad Gufran (now Thakur Gufran) embracing their Hindu roots. The practice highlights a growing effort to connect with the past while fostering communal peace and unity.
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