Ayush Malik previously said publicly that he converted to Islam willingly, and was not subjected to any coercion, temptation or brainwashing.
A 27-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district, who had earlier said he had voluntarily converted to Islam, has now reverted to the Hindu religion, citing the distress caused to his parents by the decision.
Ayush Malik, the son of a pharmaceutical businessman, has previously said publicly that he converted to Islam willingly, and was not subjected to any coercion, temptation or brainwashing.
What happened?
Ayush said that he has been following Islam since 2008. He also revealed that he married Chandni Qureshi, a resident of Shamli, through a ‘nikah’ ceremony held in Delhi.
He said he kept his conversion and marriage a secret from his family for several years because his sisters were not married yet, as HT reported earlier.
Chandni and her father Islam Qureshi were later arrested and sent to jail after Ayush’s family filed a complaint with the police.
The case was registered on June 6 after Ayush’s father, Devraj Malik, claimed that his son converted to Islam several years ago on the pretext of marrying Chandni Qureshi.
The complaint further alleged that Ayush was taken to Delhi, where the ‘nikah’ was carried out using forged documents.
But Ayush claimed that his father filed the complaint under “external pressure”. He told reporters earlier: “I am a Muslim, and I will not return to the Hindu religion,” adding that he faces social pressure, claiming that his father acted under “external pressure.”
Aayush embraces the Hindu faith again
A video clip that emerged after his return shows Ayush participating in Hindu religious prayers and rituals.
He says in the clip that although he converted to Islam, he has now chosen of his own free will to return to Hinduism and live with his family.
He can be heard saying in the video: “I converted to Islam and changed my religion. But after seeing your pain and thinking about my family, I voluntarily returned to Hinduism.”
Many media reports confirmed that Aayush posted the video clip announcing his return to the Hindu religion.
Hindustan Times was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the video.
The case
The complaint names Chandni Qureshi, her sister Rahit Qureshi, Sumila Qureshi, Rabia Qureshi, her brother Aas Muhammad alias Asu Qureshi, Huma Qureshi, their father Islam Qureshi, cleric Munawar and two other clerics as defendants.
It also alleges that the accused made inappropriate demands on Ayush Malik, put him under psychological pressure and tried to convince other members of his family to convert.
Ayush rejected allegations that the Chandni family targeted him because of his wealth or tried to take control of the family’s property worth millions of rupees. He described these allegations as baseless and said that false stories were being circulated about the case.
(With inputs from Hizb ut Tahrir correspondent)
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