After 25 Years, Om Prakash Returns Home as ‘Saleem’; Undergoes Purification, Re-Adopts Hindu Faith During SIR Verification
Firoz Khan / UP Head
Bureau Report / Rajesh Singh
Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh:
In a dramatic turn of events, Om Prakash, who had been living under the identity of Saleem for the past 25 years, returned to his native village in Bareilly and embraced his Hindu identity once again after a purification ceremony. His long-lost identity came to light during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Om Prakash, originally from Kashipur village under Shahi police station, had left home at the age of 15 following a family dispute. With no contact for decades, his family eventually presumed him dead. Before settling in Delhi, he worked in Bareilly for several years. Difficulty in renting a room due to lack of identity documents prompted locals in Delhi to help him obtain papers under the name Saleem, son of Tahir Hussain, registered at an address in Usmanpur.
In Delhi, Om Prakash married Shahar Bano, daughter of Mangal, through nikah and built a family of four daughters—Rukhsana, Ruksar, Roopa, and Kuppa—and a 15-year-old son, Jumman. Three of his daughters are already married.
SIR Verification Forced His Return
The turning point came when Om Prakash attempted to complete the SIR verification in Delhi. Officials were unable to trace any record of Tahir Hussain, the identity under which he had been living. With no valid documentation, he was compelled to return to his ancestral village to update his original identity.
Grand Welcome and Purification Ceremony
When Om Prakash arrived in Kashipur on Friday with his son Jumman and elder sister Chandrakali, the entire village was taken by surprise. Villagers welcomed him with flower garlands, bands, and emotional reunions. His younger brother Roshan Lal, nephews Kunwar Sen and Veerpal, along with village head Virendra Rajput, were among those who greeted him warmly.
A ritual purification ceremony was then performed at a local temple, after which Om Prakash formally re-adopted the Hindu faith.
“I Want to Live Here Now”
Expressing his desire to settle permanently in his native village, Om Prakash said:
“I want to live here with my family. I will now apply for all my identity documents using my village address.”
His unexpected return after 25 years has created a buzz in the region, revealing how the ongoing SIR verification drive is uncovering forgotten identities and long-buried stories across the state.
