On May 25, Organiser reported a case from the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh involving a Hindu man named Krishna Giri, who faced threats and abuse after marrying a Muslim woman, Ladli Khatun. Giri claimed that his wife was pressuring him to convert to Islam and to have their son undergo circumcision. Despite filing an FIR, the court ultimately granted custody of the children to Ladli Khatun following their recovery.
The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) took note of Organiser’s report and issued a notice to the district collector of Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. In their notice (number DD24304) dated May 29, the NCPCR highlighted that the children were allegedly abducted by a maulvi on May 16. The commission emphasised that Giri’s wife and her family had been coercing him to convert to Islam along with the children. Given the potential threat of trafficking and the fact that the children, aged 6 and 4, had been taken away, the NCPCR demanded a detailed report on the matter within three days.
As reported earlier, Krishna Giri shared his experiences with Organiser, detailing a significant change in his wife Ladli Khatun’s behaviour since she came in touch with her family. Krishna had married Ladli as per Hindun rituals in 2016, at an area samaj temple. He recounted that after their return to Kushinagar following their wedding, they initially lived with his family. However, after his conversion to Islam and subsequent reversion to Hinduism (Ghar Wapsi), his relationship with his father deteriorated, leading him to rent a separate place for his own family.
Krishna opened a shop selling daily necessities, which he managed with Ladli’s help. They appeared to be happy, with Ladli actively participating in Hindu rituals and customs, such as performing puja, observing Chhath Vrat, and celebrating Holi and Diwali. She fully embraced the Hindu lifestyle and did not practice Namaz for a period.
Despite maintaining contact with her family after their return to Kushinagar, Ladli faced initial anger from her relatives when she reconverted to Hindu dharma in front of the entire village. However, this anger gradually subsided, and about a year ago, she reconciled with her family, visiting them frequently. These visits initially did not affect Krishna or their life together.
Krishna mentioned that their six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter were enrolled in a prestigious English-medium school in the city. To manage their responsibilities, Ladli looked after the shop while Krishna worked as an auto-rickshaw driver. Unbeknownst to him, during his working hours, Ladli’s family members visited their home and began influencing her views on Hinduism.
Ladli resumed offering Namaz, and her behaviour noticeably changed. Although she outwardly followed Hindu practices while living with Krishna, something had shifted. Over the past three months, her attitude towards Krishna became increasingly hostile. She started telling the villagers that Krishna was abusive, neglectful, and a poor provider for their family.
She began threatening Giri with severe consequences if he did not convert to Islam. She ominously declared, “Mai to marungi saath bacchon ko bhi le jaungi agar muslamani nahi ki to…” (“I will die, and I will take the children with me if you do not convert to Islam.”)
Despite her threats, Giri firmly stated that his children would never become Muslim. Though she seemingly agreed at first, on May 16, she left home, taking their children with her.
Giri searched everywhere he could think of, but Ladli was nowhere to be found. He feared she intended to circumcise their son and convert their daughter. She refused to speak to him, and he was terrified of losing both her and their children.
Regarding his conversion to Islam, Giri recounted that he had recited the Kalma and performed the Nikah in front of a cleric, although he did not undergo circumcision.
When asked why he returned to Sanatan Dharma if things were going well after his conversion, Giri explained, “I am the only son of my family. If I leave my dharma, my family and lineage will be finished. I am a Hindu and will remain so. Neither I nor my children will become Muslim.”
Giri expressed deep distress over Ladli’s actions. He lamented that despite their love marriage and his efforts to make her happy, she had betrayed him. He accused her parents and relatives of manipulating her.
A First Information Report (FIR number: 184/2024) was filed on May 21 at the Sewarhi Police Station in Kushinagar.
On May 25, Krishna Giri informed a correspondent that the Kushinagar police had located Ladli and the children, who were now at the Mahila Police Station. However, Giri was not allowed to meet them and was told that they would be presented before the court on Monday, May 26, which would then decide the matter.
Desperately, Giri pleaded with the correspondent, “Mere bacche mujhe mil jayenge na… meri madad karo mam. Aaplog bologe to kuch hoga shayad” (“I will get my children back, right? Please help me, ma’am. If you speak up, maybe something will happen”).
On May 27, Ladli and the children were presented before the magistrate, who allowed Ladli to take the children with her. When Giri approached Ladli, she told him, “I had told you not to file a case, now bear with it. I will look after my kids, and we do not need you anymore.”
Krishna fears his children will be converted to Islam and desperately wants them back.
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