In recent times, there have been multiple incidents where Muslim women have embraced Hindu Dharma to marry their Hindu partners, undergoing the Gharwapsi ceremony. These women, defying family and societal opposition, chose to adopt Hindu rituals and traditions, highlighting their struggles and the support they received from various Hindu organizations.
Here are ten such stories of love and Gharwapsi
- On 4 May 2024, Shama Parveen from Bihar’s Aurangabad converted to Hindu Dharma and became Poonam Devi to marry Shivam Verma from Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) Ballia. They met at a wedding in Buxar, fell in love, and decided to marry despite opposition from Shama’s family. They sought help from Pandit KK Shankhadhar at Agastya Muni Ashram in Bareilly, who facilitated their marriage and her Gharwapsi.
- Two incidents of Gharwapsi were reported from UP in May 2024, where Muslim women accepted Hindu Dharma to marry their Hindu partners. In Bareilly, Farhana from Rampur, renamed Pallavi, married Dharmaveer at the Agatsya Muni Ashram, expressing relief from the fear of triple talaq and halala. Similarly, in Moradabad, Nargis, renamed Mansi, married Sunil at an Arya Samaj temple, citing freedom from triple talaq and halala. Both women stated long-standing faith in Hindu Dharma despite their families’ opposition to the marriages.
- On 10 November 2023, Muskaan Siddiqui, a Muslim woman, reverted to Hindu Dharma and married Shishupal Maurya in UP’s Sitapur district. Their wedding, conducted at Kali Mandir with Arya Samaj rituals, was supported by Rashtriya Hindu Sher Sena. Muskaan, now Muskaan Maurya, stated her decision was influenced by her disgust at Hamas’ atrocities in Israel. The couple met while working in a factory in Haridwar, and Muskaan confirmed her Gharwapsi was voluntary, filing an affidavit and signing a prenuptial agreement with Shishupal.
- In Uttar Pradesh, two Muslim women reverted to Hindu Dharma and married their Hindu boyfriends despite family opposition. In Sitapur, Rubia, renamed Rajni, married Pradeep Yadav with help from Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) members and the police. In Bahraich, Rubina Khan, renamed Ruby Awasthi, married Shesh Kumar Awasthi and received court protection after her family accused Shesh of abduction. Both women voluntarily embraced Hindu Dharma by undergoing Gharwapsi and married according to Hindu rituals.
- Despite the 2019 ban on instant triple talaq, the practice continues illegally in Bharat, causing distress for many Muslim women. Cases have surfaced where women were divorced through triple talaq, often for dowry demands or not bearing male children. Some women, fearing triple talaq, have reverted to Hindu Dharma and married Hindu men. For instance, Amreena Ansari from Uttar Pradesh married Pappu Kori and became Radhika after witnessing a friend’s experience with triple talaq.
- A 21-year-old Muslim woman from Bareilly, Lubna Shahzeen, embraced Hindu Dharma and married Bobby Kashyap on 20 May 2022, changing her name to Arohi. After her Gharwapsi ceremony, she faced death threats from her family and Muslim leaders and alleged police harassment. Arohi expressed fear for her life and sought protection, which led the couple to approach the Prayagraj (Allahabad) High Court. The threats stemmed from her criticism of oppressive practices like hijab, triple talaq, and nikah halala within the Muslim community.
- In Assam’s Karimganj, Amina Begum reverted to Hindu Dharma and married Shyam Ravidas after a two-year relationship in 2020. With help from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), they underwent a Gharwapsi ceremony on 26 May 2024. Renamed Radha Ravidas, she faced threats from her family and social rejection from both families, forcing the couple to hide for four years.
- On 28 March in Sitapur, Hina Ali, a 20-year-old Muslim girl, converted to Hindu Dharma and married her Hindu partner, Mahesh Maurya, amidst rising communal tensions. Renamed Sangeeta, Hina’s decision was influenced by the tragic killing of two Hindu children in Badaun and her love for Mahesh. Despite her father’s opposition, she received support from Mahesh’s family and the Hindu Sher Sena. Their marriage occurred in a traditional Hindu ceremony at the Mata Kali temple, and the couple has requested protection from authorities.
- In Etah district, Shabnam, originally from Ghazipur, reverted to Hindu Dharma and changed her name to Neha Pathak on 16 January 2023 after marrying Komesh Pathak. Both families initially opposed the marriage. Shabnam, a graduate living in Haryana’s Manesar, met Komesh, who worked in a medical company, and they fell in love. Shabnam formally adopted Hindu Dharma by undergoing Gharwapsi, inspired by the festival of Diwali. The couple sought help from the Prayagraj (Allahabad) High Court and district administration. After a 21-day notice period with no objections, she received a certificate confirming her conversion.
- In UP’s Bareilly, Saba Bi became a Hindu by doing Gharwapsi and changed her name to Soni Deval to marry her Hindu boyfriend, Ankur Deval, on 2 February 2023. The couple, who had been in love for six years, faced opposition from Saba’s family. After leaving her home on 1 February, they married at Agastya Muni Ashram according to Hindu traditions, with blessings from Sadhvi Prachi. Saba formalized her conversion and marriage through an affidavit and informed the collector’s office. She expressed her appreciation for Hindu Dharma and relief at escaping the practice of ‘triple talaq.’
Wonderful episodes. I honor these women’s courage & decision. Let them enjoy a happy & successful married life.