Hindu family coerced to convert to Islam by son; latter was coerced to convert as a pre-condition to marriage by Muslim girlfriend and her familyo conversion by Muslim girlfriend under pretext of mrriage

Case ID : 30a8d18 | Location : Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, India | Date of Incident : Wed, 3 June, 2026

Case ID : 30a8d18

Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, India

3 June, 2026

Hindu family coerced to convert to Islam by son; latter was coerced to convert as a pre-condition to marriage by Muslim girlfriend and her familyo conversion by Muslim girlfriend under pretext of mrriage

Undecided cases

Case Summary

A Hindu man from Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, s drawn into conversion to Islam as a pre condition to marriage by his Muslim girlfrind and her family. The man after adopting Islam, forced his family to abondon Hinduism and come to the folds of Islam. Hindu religious leader Swami Yashveer Maharaj, drew attention to this incident, agter which questions were raised about ta larger conspiracy hatched by the Muslim woman and her family, and whether the conversion had occurred voluntarily or through coercion and pressure. The Hindu victim was identified as Ayush Malik, the son of Devaraj Malik, a medical store owner and office bearer of a local medical association in Shamli. The events that later became the subject of public controversy began approximately five years before the matter came into public discussion. During this period, Ayush Malik came into contact with a Muslim woman identified as Chandni Qureshi. According to information that later emerged publicly, the Hindu victim entered into a relationship with the Muslim woman and remained associated with her for an extended period. Concerns were subsequently raised that the relationship was used as a means of exerting relogious influence over him. It was stated that objectionable videos of the Hindu victim were created and later used to place pressure upon the Hindu boy. As the relationship progressed, the Hindu victim underwent religious conversion and adopted Islam. It was stated that he recited the Kalma and took on the name Rehman after his conversion. Following the conversion, he married the Muslim woman. Concerns were raised that conversion had been made a condition for marriage and that the Hindu victim had altered his religious identity to continue the relationship. Further concerns emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the conversion. It was stated that the Hindu victim had been circumcised before the marriage and that the conversion process was completed with the involvement of a cleric who solemnised the marriage. Questions were raised about whether the conversion had resulted from personal choice or from sustained pressure exercised through the relationship and associated circumstances. The controversy later expanded beyond the Hindu victim himself. It was stated that members of his Hindu family had also accepted Islam. It was further stated that despite maintaining a public Hindu identity, members of the family had developed religious ties with Islamic institutions. Concerns were also raised that the Muslim woman remained in contact with other Hindu families and was attempting to influence additional individuals towards conversion. The matter gained wider public attention after religious leaders and community figures began demanding official action. Public statements were issued asserting that the Hindu victim had been drawn away from his faith through a relationship that ultimately resulted in his conversion and marriage. Demands were made for an investigation into the role of the Muslim woman, her family members, and the cleric involved in the conversion and marriage process. The Hindu victim's father publicly rejected assertions that the family had converted to Islam. He maintained that the family continued to practise Hinduism and stated that allegations regarding family conversion were incorrect. At the same time, he acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding his son's conversion remained a matter of concern and discussion within the family. The Hindu victim himself was stated to have informed police that he had developed a strong inclination towards Islam and had accepted the religion voluntarily. This position stood in contrast to concerns raised by others who maintained that the conversion occurred under pressure stemming from the relationship and the surrounding circumstances. Police examined the matter after complaints and public concerns emerged. Officials stated that enquiries had been conducted and that the matter remained under observation. No conclusive findings establishing coercion or criminal wrongdoing were publicly announced. The issue continued to attract public attention, with demands for further investigation, public demonstrations being threatened, and competing accounts regarding the circumstances of the Hindu victim's conversion remaining in circulation.

Why it is Hate Crime ?

This case contains several indicators commonly seen in conversion-linked relationship cases. The Hindu victim entered into a relationship with a Muslim woman, subsequently converted to Islam, recited the Kalma, adopted a new Islamic name, underwent circumcision, and married after the conversion. Concerns were also raised that conversion had been made a precondition for marriage, a pattern that has appeared in several previously documented cases involving allegations of religious targeting through relationships. Another significant concern was that the matter did not appear to end with the victim's conversion. Claims subsequently emerged that members of his Hindu family were also being influenced towards Islam. Such patterns have been observed in other cases where one individual is first converted and later becomes a channel through which religious influence is extended to the wider family. If true, this would suggest an objective extending beyond the conversion of a single individual and raise questions about a broader and more organised conversion effort. The case also resembles previously documented incidents where relationships have been used as a vehicle for religious conversion rather than being based solely on personal affection. The combination of an interfaith relationship, religious conversion, adoption of a new identity, and allegations of pressure naturally raises concerns about whether the conversion was entirely voluntary. However, despite these religious markers and concerns, the case has been placed in the Undecided database because the available evidence does not conclusively establish coercion or unlawful pressure. The victim was an adult capable of making his own religious and marital decisions. Moreover, he has not given any statement in front of the media or the police that confirms that he was coerced into conversion. Further, his father also publicly denied reports that the family had converted to Islam, creating further uncertainty regarding some of the allegations. While it is true that in some conversion-related cases, victims or families may publicly deny coercion due to fear, social pressure, or emotional considerations, such possibilities cannot substitute for evidence. Moreover, no conclusive findings establishing coercion, blackmail, or criminal wrongdoing were publicly announced by law enforcement. Viewed as a whole, the case contains several religious markers and resembles patterns seen in earlier conversion-linked cases. However, the non-availability of the victim's own statement, the family's public position, and the absence of conclusive evidence establishing coercion prevent a definitive determination of religiously motivated targeting. For these reasons, the case has been placed in the Undecided database pending further evidence. Disclaimer: The victim count has been recorded as 2 because only two individuals are specifically identifiable from the available information. While allegations were made that other members of the Hindu family were also influenced towards Islam, the reports do not specify how many additional family members were involved or affected. To avoid speculation and ensure an accurate count of victims, only clearly identifiable victims have been included.