In a chilling revelation of manipulation and deceit, Neha Nayak (name changed for privacy) shares her harrowing ordeal at the hands of Taha Razi, a man she once believed to be her soulmate. Little did she know that behind the facade of love lay a sinister agenda, driven by religious fanaticism.
Their story began innocently enough, amid the bustling corridors of Hyderabad, during their internship days. Neha, a bright engineer from Odisha, crossed paths with Taha, who presented himself as a Hindu from Bihar. However, their seemingly idyllic romance took a dark turn when Neha stumbled upon Taha’s true identity hidden within an innocuous identity card.
What followed was a nightmare of manipulation, coercion, and ultimately, violence. Taha, son of Razi Ahmad, embarked on a relentless crusade to force Neha into converting to Islam, using verses from the Quran to justify his actions. From pleading and emotional manipulation to outright assault, Taha stopped at nothing to bend Neha to his will, leaving her shattered and traumatised.
Even as Neha grappled with the betrayal of her once-beloved partner, Taha callously cast her aside to marry another woman, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Through her anguish, Neha sheds light on the dangerous consequences of religious extremism and the lengths to which some will go in the name of faith.
Before delving into the legal ramifications and subsequent reactions to this case, let us take you to the journey of Neha and Taha from the beginning. The following report encapsulates Neha’s firsthand account, shared exclusively with Organiser on January 29, 2023. Mere hours after Taha’s union with a woman from his community, leaving Neha with no recourse but to pursue legal action.
How did they meet?
Taha Razi, originally from Prunia district in Bihar, crossed paths with Neha Nayak, a native of Odisha, at a software development centre in Hyderabad back in 2016. Taha’s father, Razi Ahmad, serves as an Assistant Manager in a bank in Purnia, while his mother, Yasmeen Begum, is employed at Milia Convent English Medium School in the same city.
Right from the outset, Taha concealed his religious affiliation from Neha. Given the diverse students in the centre, it was challenging for Neha to discern Taha’s Muslim background. He presented himself as a Hindu, citing his unique name and exclusive use of English. He omitted his surname, claiming, “We don’t employ surnames.”
Their romantic involvement began after Taha proposed to Neha. He promptly introduced Neha to his mother as his girlfriend. Neha respectfully addressed his mother with “Pranam.” Taha’s mother treated Neha like her own daughter, and referred to her as ‘Beta.’
Taha lived outwardly as a Hindu, with no obvious markers of his Muslim identity. He didn’t observe namaz, eschewed a beard, and accompanied Neha to the temple regularly, partaking in prashad and encouraging her religious practices. The only thing different was that, Taha remained outside the temple, claiming that men rarely visit temples. He professed allegiance to the Sanatan dharma, worshipping Bhagwan Krishna exclusively.
Despite Neha’s devout religious practices, including fasting on Thursdays and temple visits on Mondays, she never suspected Taha’s Muslim background until 2022. Taha would recite verses from the Gita, accompanied by translations, emphasising the concept of a singular divine entity. Some of them were, “Ekam Brahma Drutiyo Nasti” (There is only one god and none other). He displayed knowledge of the Ramayan and Mahabharat, advocating for a unified belief in one god.
Taha criticised followers of Hindu dharma, alleging widespread hypocrisy and a departure from the purity of Sanatan Dharma.
How did she discover his true identity?
For six years, their relationship unfolded like that of any ordinary couple living apart from their families. They met daily, with Taha ensuring Neha’s well-being by providing fruit and packed lunches and expressing concern for her health. His care for her was akin to that of a devoted lover, making it difficult to fathom that he could harbour any deceit.
Towards the end of 2021, Neha inadvertently stumbled upon Taha’s driving license, which slipped from his pocket during one of their outings. Upon being confronted, Taha broke down in tears, falling at Neha’s feet before abruptly leaving to contemplate suicide.
Desperate and remorseful, Taha pleaded with Neha, questioning his culpability for being born into a Muslim family. He said, “I am a Hindu, I follow Krishna, read Bhagvad Gita. I am not a Muslim and will never force you for anything. My family is a modern family, we live in an all-Hindu colony and my great-grandfather had to convert to Islam under pressure, my family believes in Hindu Dharma.”
Despite Taha’s assurances and declarations of love, Neha grappled with the revelation, unable to reconcile her beliefs with the reality of being involved with a Muslim man.
He asked, “Have you ever seen my sister or mother in Burqa, they live like any ordinary Hindu, do not misinterpret me. I could not muster the courage to tell you the truth, thinking you would leave me. I will convert to Sanatan Dharma. I will never force you to convert. In my mind, I have accepted you as my wife and will never be able to live without you,” he added, told Neha.
Neha replied, “How can I, being a cow worshipper, live with someone who eats beef?”
Taha countered Neha’s concerns, asserting that his family abstained from consuming meat, let alone beef, aligning with her beliefs.
Irrespective of his repeated pleas, Neha was shocked and not ready to live with a Muslim man, as it was impossible for her family to accept this. Forget her family; she herself was not able to accept knowing everything going on.
As Neha distanced herself emotionally, Taha fervently pleaded for understanding, emphasising the depth of his feelings and his inability to envision life without her.
With his affirmations, she believed in him and agreed to continue the relationship.
What did Taha say about Modi and Yogi?
When asked if he criticised Hindus during events like Ram Navmi Shobha Yatras or the Ram Mandir issue, Neha explained that he didn’t directly attack Hindus but often criticised Modi and Yogi’s governments, calling those who supported them brainless. He referred to the PM as ‘Chaiwala‘ and accused him of focusing solely on religious politics instead of governing the country effectively. He also expressed sympathy towards Khalistani supporters during their movement.
Regarding the Ram Mandir judgment, he argued to Neha that the government’s decision to demolish the mosque for the construction of the temple was unfair, questioning the morality of destroying an existing structure to erect something new.
Live-in relationship
Neha’s family began receiving promising marriage proposals for her, prompting them to pressure her into matrimony. Feeling the weight of their expectations and being in a relationship with Taha, she confided in him and proposed marriage.
Subsequently, Neha told her family about Taha, who vehemently opposed their relationship. When Neha refused to comply with their wishes, her family severed all ties with her.
Taha then suggested that they relocate to Bangalore. Neha agreed and moved in with him, and they began living together. In Bangalore, Neha enthusiastically furnished their home with furniture, appliances, and decorations, envisioning a future together. Taha supported her choices, expressing his love for her taste.
What changed after Taha’s identity was revealed?
After Taha’s true identity came to light, Neha noticed significant shifts in their relationship. While in Bangalore, she visited a nearby Ganesh temple and brought back Sambhar and Khichdi as prashad for Taha, as she had done in the past. However, this time, he reacted with anger, stating that consuming prashad was haram (forbidden) in Islam.
On the same day, Neha discovered pictures on Taha’s phone from an office celebration where he participated in Puja. Confused by his contradictory actions, Neha questioned why he didn’t express his discomfort with Hindu rituals to his colleagues. She urged him to embrace his Muslim identity openly if he was so proud of his religion and not force it on her alone.
In response, Taha asserted his ownership over Neha, suggesting that he could dictate his preferences to her.
Neha also recalled Taha’s peculiar habits, such as not washing his hands before meals, which he justified using Islamic teachings, claiming that bacteria on the palms aided digestion.
To justify Islam as the best religion of all he would say, just as mobiles are launched ever year and people switch to the latest version in a similar way one should follow Islam. As per him, Islam was the latest version of Sanatan Dharma.
Family’s pressure
After some time, Taha dropped a bombshell on Neha: his family had arranged his marriage in Bihar, and they opposed his relationship with her. Neha was shocked, having maintained open communication with her parents and siblings from the outset, all of whom knew she was Hindu. Taha revealed that his family now objected, insisting he marry within their community and have a homemaker wife.
When Neha confronted him, he posed a daunting question: “Will you convert to Islam?” Neha retorted, reminding him that he had deceived her with a false identity, expressed willingness to change his religion, disclosed their relationship to his family, and even begged for her forgiveness on his knees. She found it absurd that he now expected her to convert, labelling it an impossibility.
Taha was left speechless in the face of Neha’s interrogation, unable to provide a satisfactory answer.
Convert to Islam
At first, he subtly broached the topic of conversion, mentioning aspects of Islam, his father’s beliefs, and other related matters. Sensing his intentions, Neha firmly asserted that her faith, her ‘Astha‘, was non-negotiable, emphasising that he couldn’t impose his religion on her. For her, it transcended mere Hindu-Muslim differences; she found solace and fulfilment in her Hindu practices of temple visits and puja. She made it clear to Taha that nothing could sway her towards Islam.
Despite her resistance, he continued to use references from the Gita and other religious texts to entice her towards Islam. The following day, he initiated a debate with Neha, claiming that the teachings of Sanatan Dharma were flawed. He asserted that post-marriage, she should adopt his religion, citing the tradition of women following their in-laws’ practices.
Finished writing a report on this shocking case of LOVE JIHAD from Bangalore.
The accused, Taha Razi is from Bihar & victim Neha* from Odisha. Both Engineers met & fell in love, for 6 years Neha had no idea of Taha being a Muslim.
Listen to what she told me for @eOrganiser: pic.twitter.com/snMhdN0tX0
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) January 29, 2024
Even suggesting that in a court marriage, she would still need to convert, Taha faced Neha’s staunch refusal, reminding him that he was the one who had concealed his true identity, not her.
Undeterred, he proposed that Neha marry someone else, allowing him to wed the Muslim woman of his choice. Neha confronted him, pointing out his hypocrisy in preventing her from accepting marriage proposals only to abandon her now that he had found someone else. These discussions unfolded late at night, around 10 PM.
Physical assault
Around 12 pm he turned violent and told Neha, “I have shown enough of my goodness. Now I am making this very clear that, if you want to marry me, you will have to convert to Islam, there is no other way. If you have the same answer, then get lost!”
He callously threatened to expel her from his home, leaving her to fend for herself on the streets or at the railway station, showing no regard for her safety or well-being.
He abused her saying she should thank the almighty, as he sent him into her life to get her on the path of Allah which is the path of truth. He has come to her life to make her a child of Allah from just being a mere kaffir who lives a cursed life. She will get Jannat if will convert to Islam.
He told Neha that he was telling all of this because he loved her so much.
Neha questioned, “By beating and abusing me?”
To which he quoted Quran and said, “In Quran, it is mentioned that if a Muslim has to take strict action against a Kaffir and butparast (idol worshipper) to get him to the right track and get converted then this abuse or assault will not be considered bad.”
Neha responded, saying that any religion will not teach force, assault, and abuse for conversion.
He said, “Having me in life is the greatest bliss Allah gave you, understand this and follow the right path. Why will I worship Krishna or any deity they were all human beings. Hindus are foolish as they worship humans, trees, water and everything.”
After saying all of this, he beat Neha with his leg.
He then said, “After getting converted, you will not only stay with me in this world but in Jannat as well. Do not waste your life as kaffir. Allah is the one who gives everything to everyone, don’t be a jaahil.”
In 3-hour conversion she told at length about the harassment she endured.
From abusing Bhagwan Ram, Krishna to Modi-Yogi government & supporting Khalistani movement Neha told me shocking things about Taha and his transformation from ‘A Hindu from Bihar’ to servant of Allah! pic.twitter.com/1hfWtAEyeZ
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) January 29, 2024
He threw the murti of Bhagwan Ganesh and Lakshmi kept on the table, which Neha brought with her. When she stopped him he kicked her on the stomach and dragged her on the floor. “Hindus know nothing; they worship the Sun and moon. Science has reached the surface of the moon and sun and the Hindus are stuck to the same ‘Chanda Mama’ and worship it on Karwachauth. Such a foolish tribe is Hindus,” he said.
He then showed text in Urdu on his phone and read, “When a kaffir takes a wrong path.. we the Muslims are directed by Allah to show them the right path. Even if this involved force then be it..”
Then he brought a bottle of alcohol and grabbed Neha from her hair, saying, “You love me..say you love me. And you will convert to Islam. What is this love where you can love a guy but not his religion”
He then slapped her and repeated, “Say I will convert to Islam.”
Neha responded, “I will.. I will convert. Stop beating me. I will go from here.”
Then he called her a fake Hindu and slapped her again. After beating her for some time, he said, “Where will you go.. to the police and complaint against me? You will lodge a Love Jihad case against me?” he asked Neha.
Then he switched and turned normal saying, “This is the last chance say that you will convert to Islam and I will tell my family. We will have Nikah.”
Neha said she would not convert, as any religion cannot be forced on someone.
He said he wants his children to follow Islam; how is this possible without their mother practising it?
Later, he took out his phone and said, “My father will teach you how to offer namaz in some days but before that you will have to change your mind and play a video featuring Zakir Naik.”
He called him a great intellectual who knows all the religions and said that Neha must listen to him. When she asked for water, he beat her and forced her to listen to Zakir Naik.
At 3 am, Neha was covered in bruises and overwhelmed by a raging fever, causing her to faint. Despite her weakened state, Taha callously continued his assault, kicking her and forcing her to listen to Zakir Naik’s rhetoric. When Neha was drained both physically and emotionally, Taha subjected her to further abuse by engaging in non-consensual sex.
Later that night, Taha reached out to his family, presenting a facade of normalcy the next morning. He offered her medication and reassured her that his family had acquiesced to their relationship, urging her to rest while he resolved matters with his relatives. The following evening, he abruptly departed for Bihar, only to inform Neha two days later that he was marrying the Muslim woman, callously urging her to move on.
Neha returned to her hostel and then lodged a complaint against Taha and his family members. On January 28, Taha got married to this Muslim woman.
This correspondent contacted the police station in-charge, Purnia, Shashi Bhagat, on January 29, he revealed that Neha had submitted her complaint letter on January 28, detailing the abuse she endured at the hands of Taha. Bhagat clarified that Neha resided in Bangalore and encountered Taha there, prompting the authorities to advise her to lodge a formal complaint with the local police station. Subsequently, the Bihar police will investigate the matter after a complaint is lodged in Bangalore.
Neha, determined to seek justice for the exploitation she endured, insists that Taha and his family must face the consequences of their actions.
(Organiser has the copy of complaint letter)
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