Muslim woman accuses Bajrang Dal of forcing conversion; urges IGP to take action

The conversion of Bushra and her husband Jaffar along with their four little children at Saralebettu Shivapadi Sri Umamaheshwari Temple near Manipal of Udupi district on July 14, had hit the headlines.

However, Bushra, who has now apparently fled husband's house, accused the Bajrang Dal activists of harassing her physically and mentally and threatening to kill her and her children if she continued to remain a Muslim woman.

IGP Alok Mohan has assured the woman of taking stringent action against the accused after a thorough investigation into the case.

Bushra, daughter of late Ibrahim AK alias Ibba from Valachchil near Adyar, had married Jaffar eight years ago, as per the Muslim tradition. Jaffar, a driver, who was in love with Bushra, had converted to Islam a few weeks before the marriage.

The couple has been leading a normal life and rewarded with four children namely Iqbal (4), Irfan (3), Fathima Yasmeen (2) and Jalauddeen (one and a half month).

In the recent years, Jaffar, whose earlier name was Prashant Shetty, had developed friendship with Bajrang Dal activists and had shifted his house from Adyar Kannur to Sunkakatte in Udupi nearly three months ago, against the wish of his wife.

Bushra, in her complaint, said that she was preparing food for her children on July 14 when a group of Bajrang Dal activists stormed into their house and forcefully took the entire family to a temple.

“When I protested, they threatened me to kill my children if I failed to act according to their wish,” she said in her complaint.

She also accused the priest of the temple of disregarding her plea and forced her to accept Hinduism. The priest continued 'Pravartan' (conversion) rituals without paying attention to my pleadings, she said.

“Although I became silent in the temple, fearing that Bajrang Dal activists may kill my children, I did not accept Hinduism and I am still a Muslim,” she said adding that the rumours and false reports that she had been converted to Hinduism had deeply hurt her.

Harassment

Bushra told the IGP that a Bajrang Dal activist identified as Manohar, harassed her physically and mentally with the support of her husband, after shifting to the new house.

She said that her husband continued to allow Manohar in the house during nights, despite knowing that he was trying to seduce her and inviting her for sex.

Divorce

Bushra said that she has left her husband's house for ever along with her four children after undergoing the agony.

“I cannot lead life with my husband anymore. I want a divorce from him,” she said.

Threat

Bushra also said that the Bajrang Dal goons have threatened her against approaching the police. She urged the IGP to inquire her case in Dakshina Kannada, as she fears to go to Udupi.