In Bijnor, despite the rigorous enforcement of laws against Love Jihad, troubling cases continue to surface, highlighting the complexity of the issue. One such case involves Roshni, a young woman from Chandigarh, who was misled into a deceptive marriage under the guise of interfaith harmony. Naseem, a local resident of Bijnor, portrayed himself as a Hindu named Akash, only to betray her trust later.

Their relationship began with what Roshni believed was genuine love, leading to marriage. However, the facade crumbled when, after living together briefly, Naseem abruptly left their shared residence and returned to his family home without explanation. Distraught and seeking closure, Roshni decided to confront him at his home, a decision that would expose the harsh reality of her situation.

Upon her arrival, instead of the reconciliation she might have hoped for, she was confronted with the stark revelation of Naseem's true religious identity. His family did not just reveal the truth; they pressured her to convert to Islam, adding to her ordeal. The pressures were not just emotional but also physical—Roshni recounted being beaten, an act aimed to intimidate her into submission. Moreover, she was enticed with promises of marriage and a home, conditional upon her conversion.

With her grievances in tow, Roshni sought recourse through legal means. Accompanied by representatives from various Hindu organizations, which provided her with support and guidance, she approached the Bijnor police station. Her complaint detailed the premeditated deceit by Naseem, who had not only adopted a Hindu alias but had woven a narrative that led her to sever ties with her previous life. She revealed that Naseem had convinced her to divorce her first husband and subsequently conducted a marriage under Hindu rituals to solidify his false identity.

This betrayal reached its peak when, shortly after their marriage, Naseem still posing as Akash, vanished from Mohali, Punjab, where he had been living and working for several years, leaving Roshni to grapple with the repercussions of his actions alone.

Convert or we won’t get you married…

On July 16, in a determined effort to confront Naseem and seek answers, Roshni embarked on a journey spanning hundreds of miles to Faridpur Qaziwala village in Bijnor, UP. Upon arrival, she faced yet another setback; Naseem was not present at his home. Instead, his family members confronted her with a harsh ultimatum: conversion to Islam was a prerequisite for her marriage to Naseem. They expressed that living together was unfeasible unless she abandoned her Hindu faith, highlighting the religious divide that stood as a barrier to their union.

Feeling distraught and devoid of hope, Roshni, alongside members of a Hindu organization, made her way to the Bijnor police station to seek redress. Her plea for justice was a poignant testament to her dire situation.

The determination of Roshni and the Hindu organization members was palpable. They collectively voiced their refusal to accept forced conversion to Islam under the guise of what they termed Love Jihad. Their firm stance was for legal measures to be taken against Naseem and his family for their deceptive and coercive practices.

Despite initial inaction, the persistence of the Hindu organization members eventually compelled the police to address the situation. On July 16, Roshni formally lodged a complaint at the city police station. Frustration grew as the police delayed their response, but the issue was escalated by the Hindu organizations by Saturday evening, leading to significant agitation. The police, reacting to the growing unrest and pressure, registered the case late that night.

The case centered around the incidents in Faridpur Qazi, also known as Khedki, within the jurisdiction of the Bijnor city police station. Naseem, employed as a carpenter in Mohali, Chandigarh, had initially deceived Roshni by masking his identity and marrying her under the alias Akash. After abandoning her post-marriage in Chandigarh, he retreated to his village. When Roshni traced him to his village, the stark reality of his deceit came to light. Roshni, residing in Mohali, Punjab, recounted meeting Naseem there, where their ill-fated relationship began.

Uproar at Bijnor Police Station: Community Leaders Demand Justice

In the late evening, the atmosphere at the Bijnor city police station became intensely charged as members of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad gathered in significant numbers. The groups were there to support Roshni, the victim of an alleged Love Jihad case, and to demand decisive action against the accused, Naseem, and his family. Anil Chaudhary, the district minister of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, voiced a strong condemnation of the deceitful tactics employed in the case. He articulated the community's outrage, stating, "It is unacceptable for someone to forcibly marry a Hindu girl by changing their name and religion under the guise of Love Jihad." Chaudhary's demand was clear: legal action must be taken against the accused and his family to address this grave injustice.

In her detailed complaint to the police, Roshni recounted the sequence of events that led to her current predicament. She revealed that she was previously married when Naseem, who introduced himself as Akash, initiated a romantic relationship with her. Under the pretense of love, he persuaded her to divorce her first husband and subsequently married her using Hindu rituals. This act of marriage under false pretenses set the stage for the subsequent betrayal.

The deception unraveled further after their marriage when Naseem brought Roshni to Bijnor. It was in Bijnor that Roshni was confronted with the shocking truth of Naseem’s real religious identity. When she confronted Naseem about his deceit, the situation escalated to violence. Roshni reported that Naseem physically assaulted her and then abandoned her at their home, returning alone to Chandigarh. Her attempts to protest or seek clarification were met with further aggression, leaving her beaten and alone.

Case Registered, Investigation Underway

Late at night, the atmosphere within the confines of the city police station shifted towards action as a formal case was registered against Naseem and his family. The charges laid out under sections 69/115(2) and 352 reflect the gravity of the allegations against them. City Police Officer Uday Pratap confirmed the developments, stating, "The case has been registered and further legal action is being taken."

The registration of the case marks a critical step in the legal proceedings. The charges are not only against Naseem, who also used the alias Akash, but also extend to his brother, father, and another individual implicated in the affair. This action by the police is a response to the demands for justice by the victim, Roshni, and the community groups supporting her.

The police's commitment to a thorough investigation is pivotal in this scenario. By taking legal steps against multiple members of Naseem's family, the authorities are acknowledging the complexity and severity of the accusations, which include deception, coercion into religious conversion, and physical abuse. This move also serves as a reassurance to the community and to victims of similar offenses that their grievances are taken seriously and that the rule of law prevails.

As the investigation unfolds, it will aim to uncover the full extent of the deception and abuse that Roshni claims to have endured. The case’s progress will be closely monitored by community leaders, advocacy groups, and citizens, all of whom are eagerly awaiting justice and a resolution to this deeply troubling issue. This incident, now under legal scrutiny, underscores the ongoing societal challenges related to interfaith relationships, identity deception, and the misuse of religion in personal relationships.