Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi, Jan 1: Balbir Singh held masters degrees in history, political science and English. During the 25 years since he was a Kar Sevak and got involved with the demolition of Babri Masjid, he has transformed into a orator who can speak authoritatively about Islam. His name also has changed into Mohammed Amir during this period.

Balbir was born into a Rajput family near Panipat. His father was a school teacher who followed Gandhian principles. His father was hell bent on making Muslims living in the area feel safe and secure, having witnessed the deaths and devastations associated with partition.

Balbir's family shifted to Panipat for the education of children. During his stay there, Balbir got associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and attended its Shakhas. He later joined Shiv Sena and like his elder brother, got involved with loom business. He also got married but continued with his studies. For the family which cherished soft Gandhian views, Balbir was unique as he followed RSS ideals.

Mohammed Amir - now

Mohammed Amir as Balbir Singh years back (inset) and in 1991 (on left)

Balbir and his family did not visit temples as his father did not believe in idol worship. He says that the people thought him to be hardcore Hindu activist but he was not. He went to Ayodhya with other Kar Sevaks in 1992 and hit the Babri Masjid structure with a pickaxe with others. On his return, he got a hero's welcome at Panipat. As his father was furious at what he did, and said that that either he or his son would live in the house, Balbir left home. He lived in fields and deserted corners. He returned home after two months after coming to know that his father was no more. But his family said his father had directed them not to allow Balbir to attend his funeral. He also found that his close friend, Yogendra Pal, who was with him during his Ayodhya trip, had embraced Islam to ward off mad thoughts.

Balbir travelled to Sonepat at the instance of Yogendra Pal, met Maulana Kalim Siddiqui, got converted into Islam and embraced the new name, Mohammed Amir. He leart Arabic, studied Quran, and taught English at Madrassa. In 1993, his wife came back to him and converted into Islam. After his elder brother's wife died, he convinced his wife to get remarried to his elder brother. “My brother had children who would have become motherless. If not for her they would not have been able to cope. I owe her a great debt.” says Amir.

Later, Mohammed Amir married a widow named Shahnaz Begum.. He got engaged with restoring and rebuilding mosques in north India, most of them in Mewat region, and built with help from Waliyullah Trust. He says there are many mosques about which government departments too do not know, and he goes searching for them, cleans them, begins worships there and start madrassas. He has set a target of repairing and rebuilding 100 mosques for himself.

Amir says he identifies that education is neglected by Muslims and he is particular that they should get educated. He keeps teaching people to be peaceful, as peace is what he got from Islam. He adds that he teaches the virtue of forgiving others, in spite of being powerful enough to retaliate. Amir can be said to be on the long path of forgiving self and living in peace.