Click to play videoNew Delhi: Conversions have always been a potent political tool, often a ploy to draw votes. But very little is known about those who make the choice.
Zeba Farheen, a who converted her religion at the time of her marriage, lives the life of an outcast. It's been two years since she's last been to her parental home.
She had lived with her family before she got married at the age of 25. But after she converted her religion, they have never spoken to her. Even her friends don't meet her anymore.
"It's not that they don't love me. They do love me lots," she says as tears trickle down her eyes.
Her brothers won't let her in. She lives with her husband in a one room flat in an overcrowded South Delhi locality, which can easily be described as a ghetto.
Her husband's family, however, is supportive. "I converted at the time of my marriage. They did not pressurise me in any way and told me that I could do what I pleased. They did not force me to read Namaz, I read it because I want to," says Zeba.
She does not shy away from pointing out what she does not like about her new faith: "They don't teach girls. They say that the teachings of Islam are enough for them. I think that is wrong."
Another person who converted his religion is Dr Motilal. Despite being a convert, he has not changed his name.
"Actually, Motilal is a name that both Hindus and Muslims keep, so I retained it," he says.
But Motilal seemed to be a man always on guard, preferring anonymity. There are people in his new community who treat him as an outsider, but Motilal is unaffected.
"Since I retained my name as Motilal, the community may have not accepted me completely. Personally, it really doesn't matter," he says.
But we met a Shuklaji who had come from Motilal's village along with his ailing wife. Motilal's faith was of little interest to Shuklaji.
"He is from my village. All men are made up of blood and flesh.They are all the creatures," he says.
Shuklaji has ignored Dr Motilal's change of faith, But most converts still live their lives in the shadows, often fearful and lonely.
(Aasim Khan and Marya Shakil in New Delhi)
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