Megh convertion

 Abrogation of impurity : 

"Again, there is abrogation of impurity when a person changes his religion. A Mehtar or Chamar when he becomes a Christian or Musalman loses with his religion the impurity attached to him. An interesting ease in point is that of Meghs, which occurred in the Punjab some time ago when a party of Megh coolies working on a railway line wanted to draw water from a well, for they were very thirsty. A high caste neighbour objected and raised a hue and cry. No other source of drinkable water was accessible in the neighbourhood and the coolies in indignation and despair hit upon a plan which made the water available to them in a couple of hours. Muhammadans could draw water from the well, but not the Meghs. The coolies therefore went to the nearest mosque, embraced Islam and returned with a party of Musalmans to the well and the high caste Hindu at once yielded. Some time ago 30,000 Meghs were reclaimed. They have gained in ‘social status, which they could not do under ordinary circumstances without becoming a Muhanimadan or Christian." (Man In India Vol.3, March-June, 1923, P 71)

 The most beneficial work ever undertaken by the Sialkot Arya Samaj is the uplifting and reclamation of the depressed classes or the "untouchables," such as Meghs. For years the Sialkot Arya Samaj was the centre of attraction for the Meghs of the Punjab. The first "purification" ceremony of 200 Meghs was performed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati at the anniversary meeting of the Arya Samaj in Sialkot on the 28th and 29th March 1903. After purification the Meghs called themselves "Arya Bhagats". Over 40,000 (forty thousand) Meghs have so far, been brought into the fold of the Arya Samaj in various districts. The branch of the Samaj is, to which this work is entrusted, is called "Arya Megh Uddhar Sabha." The objects of this society are to raise the social status of the Meghs, to better their economic condition, to provide facilities for their education — religious, secular and industrial. This society was registered under the Charitable Societies Act, XXI of 1860 on the 13th day of June, 1912. The Government has, granted about 50 rectangles of canal-irrigated land to the society for the betterment of the Arya Meghs."  "There are five Arya Megh schools maintained by the Arya Megh Uddhar Sabha, Sialkot,.." (Punjab District Gazetteers Sialkot District Vol.23 Pt.a, Govt Press, Lahore, 1920, p 55, 202)

Megh convertion