Ghar Wapsi in Bareilly: Saina Begum became Soni to marry Akash; Demanded security from her family in letter to SSP & CM

In a shuddhi event organised at the Agastya Muni Ashram in Bareilly on April 30, two Muslim women did Ghar Wapsi and returned to the Sanatan fold. The two also married Hindu men as per Hindu customs following their Ghar Wapsi.

Saina Bee became Soni, and another Muslim woman also embraced Sanatan Dharma but did not reveal her real name as she was facing threats from her family members. They have also given letters to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and the Chief Minister (CM) of the state, Yogi Adityanath, demanding protection from their respective family members.

The shuddi was performed by pandit KK Shankhdhar at the ashram, for which they drank the holy gangajal and gaumutra and later the women performed puja and havan.

Saina from the Richola area of Nawabganj revealed that she befriended Akash from Hafizganj in New Basti seven years ago. Akash holds a private job. Their conversation started through Facebook. After that, they started talking. Akash had gifted her a mobile phone through which they used to communicate. Saina, who became Soni, says she prefers Hindu Dharma over Islam as she has the freedom to live openly. Wearing a burqa was suffocating. Her brother and family threaten to kill her. There could be any mishap with her anytime, she told media after the wedding.

Soni explained that Akash proposed to her for marriage. After that, she left her home, family, and religion to marry Akash. Akash had given her a mobile as gift on her birthday. It had a new SIM card in it. Through which, ther used to communicate.

She said she used to go to many Hindu families where people live comfortably. They talk to each other. While there were many restrictions at her home, they didn’t let her leave the house without a burqa. They would beat her if she talked to anyone. That is why chose to do Ghar Wapsi.

The second woman who did Ghar Wapsi is from the Bahedi area. The young woman got married to a Hindu man as per Hindu religious customs at the ashram. Amidst chants of Vedic mantras, they tied the knot. However, the young woman said that her life is in danger as her family members are after them. For this reason, she does not want to give her photo and name and keep her identity confidential.

Recently,  Shama Parveen, a Muslim woman hailing from Aurangabad, Bihar, has chosen to return to Sanatan fold, do Ghar Wapsi and marry Shivam Verma, a resident of Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. Renaming herself Poonam Devi, Shama’s journey to embracing Hindu Dharma unfolded against familial opposition and societal challenges.

Their quest for a solution led them to Pandit KK Shankhadhar of the Agastya Muni Ashram in Madhinath, Bareilly. Known for facilitating marriages for couples from diverse backgrounds, facilitating Ghar Wapsi, Pandit KK Shankhadhar assessed their situation and performed rituals to sanctify Shama’s transition to Hindu Dharma. Following traditional Hindu customs, the couple exchanged vows, with Shama adopting the name ‘Poonam’ as her new identity.

Poonam Devi shared insights into her decision to do Ghar Wapsi, citing a deep-rooted connection to Sanatan Dharma despite her family’s conversion to Islam generations ago. Expressing disillusionment with certain practices within Islam, such as “halala” and “triple talaq,” she emphasised Hindu Dharma’s reverence for women and its alignment with her beliefs.