Shamli: Ayush Malik, resident of Shamli in Uttar Pradesh, whose conversion to Islam triggered an investigation under Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law has re-converted to Hinduism.
He took the decision voluntarily after witnessing the emotional distress experienced by his parents, Malik said, as reported by The Statesman.
In a video circulating on social media, Malik is seen taking part in Hindu religious rituals and offering prayers. In the video, he says he has chosen to re-embrace Hinduism of his own free will and wishes to stay with his family.
“I had accepted Islam and changed my religion. But after seeing my parents’ pain and keeping my family in mind, I have voluntarily returned to Hinduism. I want to live under the care and protection of my family. Please forgive me,” Ayush says in the video.
He is also seen performing puja rituals in accordance with Hindu traditions.
His father, Devaraj Malik, confirmed that his son had formally returned to Sanatan Dharma. The family reiterated that the decision was taken voluntarily.
This comes weeks after Devaraj, owner of a pharmaceutical business in Shamli, registered a police complaint against members of a family, alleging that they waylaid his son Ayush and made him convert to Islam.
Physiotherapist Chandni Qureshi and her father, Islam Qureshi, were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police after the complaint was registered under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.
Malik, a Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate who assisted in running the family’s business met Chandni in 2018 while undergoing treatment for a leg injury at a hospital in Shamli.
The two later entered into a relationship and Chandni and members of her family influenced him to convert to Islam, the police claimed.
Malik travelled to Delhi in 2023, where he allegedly converted to Islam, adopted the name Mohammad Ali and underwent a nikah ceremony with Chandni, the FIR claimed.
The police, however, maintained that they have not recovered any marriage certificate during the investigation.
After the conversion, Malik allegedly following Islamic religious practices, including offering five daily prayers, growing a beard and changing his style of dress, investigators said.
Devaraj has alleged that the conversion was part of a conspiracy to gain control of the family’s property.
