In Uttar Pradesh’s Rohilkhand region, increasing discontent over practices such as triple talaq and halala has led several Muslim women to return to the Sanatan fold by doing Ghar Wapsi. One such case involves Hina B. Khan, a resident of Pilibhit, who has voluntarily left Islam to embrace the Sanatan (Hindu) way of life.
Hina, now known as Priyanka, entered into a Vedic marriage with her partner, Premshankar Gupta, at an ashram in Bareilly. Hina has also sought police protection, citing serious threats from her family due to her conversion.
Priyanka, born Hina B. Khan, is the daughter of Mumtaz Khan from Puranpur, a town in Pilibhit. Her partner, Premshankar Gupta, hails from Sisona village in Sitarganj, located in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand.
In a sworn affidavit submitted to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Bareilly, Priyanka affirmed her decision to convert, declaring her adulthood and her capacity to make independent decisions.
In her affidavit, Priyanka explained that while her ancestors had converted to Islam under the threat of Mughal invasion, she now identifies with the Sanatan Hindu religion after Ghar Wapsi. She has been a devout worshipper of Hindu deities and criticised the treatment of women within Islam, particularly condemning practices like triple talaq and halala. Priyanka emphasised that her decision to convert was made voluntarily and without coercion.
However, Priyanka’s conversion has not been well received by her family. She has reported growing hostility from her relatives, who have reportedly become a threat to her safety and that of her husband. Priyanka has expressed fears that her family might resort to violence or falsely accuse them of crimes if her security concerns are not addressed.
Consequently, she has appealed to the local police and administration for protection after her Ghar Wapsi to ensure her and her in-laws’ safety.
