Uttar Pradesh: Muslim Girl Converts To Hinduism After Falling In Love With Hindu Man In Aligarh

New Delhi: It is said that love sees neither caste nor religion. Those who truly love can even break social and family barriers. A similar case has emerged from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. A young Muslim woman from Ludhiana, Punjab, has left her religion Islam for the love of a Hindu man from Aligarh. Misba Ahmed, who became Manisha, has submitted an application for religious conversion in Aligarh. This is the first case registered in the district under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.

What is the issue?

Misba Ahmed, a resident of Azad Nagar Khanna, Ludhiana, Punjab, has submitted a registered application to the administration under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act regarding her intended conversion from one religion to another. In this application, Misba stated that she had voluntarily converted from Islam to Hinduism. Recently, the woman submitted an affidavit of reconversion to Hinduism and, after participating in a religious ceremony in Prayagraj, completed her conversion. Misba will now be known as Manisha. Misba did this out of love for a young man from Tappal.

The family of a young man from Baina village in Tappal witnessed the conversion. The conversion will now be duly registered. The administration has begun preparations for action in this case. The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act came into effect in Uttar Pradesh on November 27, 2020. The Act also provides for strict action against those who engage in forced religious conversion.

What is the legal process of religious conversion?

A notarized affidavit is prepared, listing the name, previous address, old religion, and new religion. Conversion must be voluntary. Conversion done under inducement, coercion, or under the pretext of marriage (only for marriage) is illegal. If the administration determines that forced conversion has occurred, a police investigation may be initiated. Cases of forced or illegal conversion can result in a sentence of 1 to 10 years.

What happened in Sambhal?

A similar case came to light in Sambhal a week ago. A young woman here had deserted her family for her Hindu lover. Despite her family's disapproval, she converted to Islam and married the Hindu man. She also changed her name. Samreen and Ankit, residents of Navada village in the Hazratnagar Garhi area, studied in the same school. During this time, they fell in love. When he refused to marry her, Samreen left home on January 27 and went to Ankit's house, expressing her desire to live with him. After Samreen left, her mother filed a complaint at the police station. Police detained both of them, interrogated them, and presented them in court. In court, both claimed to be adults. Samreen stated clearly that she wanted to live and marry Ankit of her own free will.

After recording her statement on February 2, the CWC ordered the woman's custody in Ankit's custody. Following the CWC's order, the two married according to Hindu customs. After the marriage, Samreen converted to Hinduism and changed her name to Ruhi. Ankit's family has accepted her.