Author: Pervez Iqbal Siddiqui
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 17, 2008
On the evening of August 14, when a middle-aged
man knocked at the door of a dilapidated house in Sarai Meer police circle
of Azamgarh district in UP, the house owner, Abu Bakar, was a bit surprised.
Introducing himself as Qudus Alvi of Jalaun, the stranger expressed his desire
to meet Abdul Bashar, the eldest son of Abu Bakar, for a marriage proposal.
"We are actually looking for a pious
man for my daughter. Mizban saheb of Jalaun told us about your son. We are
looking for a god-fearing match for our daughter,'' he said in one go before
Bakar could open his mouth. "My family members are waiting outside in
a car. Should I call them?" he asked as a perplexed Abu Bakar nodded
his head in the affirmative. Moments later, 'Qudus Alvi' was back with four
other men.
Barely had the men made themselves comfortable
on a cot, when Qudus Alvi started off again: "Sahabzade dikhai nahi par
rahe hain. Kahan hain? (Your son is not around or what?). Nahi. Hain yahin.
Abhi bulwate hain" (He is here. I will call him just now),'' Bakar said
as he called for Bashar.
Moments later, a lean man of average height
appeared from a dingy room. "As salaam alai kum,'' he greeted the guests.
'Qudus Alvi' got up on his feet to shake hands with Bashar. But everything
changed in a fraction of a second. The guests herded Bashar out of the house
and virtually dragged him to a waiting Sumo. Even before Bakar could understand
what was happening, the men had disappeared with Bashar. A little later, some
local residents who witnessed the "kidnapping'' told Bakar that Bashar
has apparently been taken away by the police.
Bakar finds it difficult to believe that his
son is involved in deadly terror attacks in the country. "Mera bachcha
galat nahi ho sakta (My child cannot be wrong),'' says Bakar. "Abhi to
uski Ammi ko pata bhi nahi hai ki kya hua hai. Pata chalega to allah jaane
kya hoga (his mother is yet to know what had happened),'' he said.