A young woman originally named Ruba from the Iglas police station area of Aligarh has embraced Sanatan Dharma and married Rajesh, a Hindu man from Shahi locality in Bareilly. Following her religious conversion and ‘Shuddhi’ (purification) ceremony, the interfaith marriage was solemnised at the Agastya Muni Ashram in Bareilly, with full Hindu rituals.
Speaking to reporters, Ruba, now known as Ruby after embracing Sanatan Dharma, said, “There is nothing wrong with Islam. But I do not agree with practices like triple talaq and halala. I have accepted Sanatan Dharma of my own free will because I find peace and happiness in it. I knew Rajesh was Hindu, and I have no objection to his faith. Our decision to marry was mutual.”
The story of Ruby and Rajesh began a year ago when Rajesh, a resident of Bareilly’s Shahi area, frequently visited a close friend in a village falling under the Iglas police station in Aligarh. During one such visit, he met Ruba. The two connected instantly, and Ruba asked for his phone number during their first meeting.
What started as casual communication blossomed into a deep bond. Soon, both began to confide in each other, and their friendship turned into love. The couple even informed their respective families of their intention to marry. However, their interfaith relationship met with strong disapproval from both households.
Undeterred by familial resistance, Ruba decided to take matters into her own hands. She disclosed, “It was I who expressed the desire to marry Rajesh. But he cautioned me, saying, ‘I am a Hindu, you are a Muslim. Think carefully; what if religion becomes a hurdle and you change your mind?’ I assured him that I had no objection.”
On April 3, Ruba left her parental home and boarded a train to Bareilly to be with Rajesh. A week later, on April 10, the couple reached Agastya Muni Ashram, where noted priest Pandit KK Shankhdhar conducted her “ghar wapsi” ceremony—her formal return to Sanatan Dharma.
The purification ritual included the use of gomutra and Gangajal to symbolically cleanse her of her previous religious ties. Following the ritual, Ruba adopted the name Ruby, signaling her new identity and spiritual path.
Later the same day, the couple tied the knot following all traditional Vedic customs. “We took the seven sacred vows around the holy fire. Rajesh applied sindoor in my hair parting and tied the mangalsutra around my neck. I am now Ruby, his legally wedded wife,” she said proudly.
Ruby’s sudden disappearance alarmed her family, who filed a missing person complaint at the local police station in Aligarh. In response, Ruby made a public statement clarifying that she had not been abducted, coerced, or manipulated.
“I am an adult and have acted entirely of my own free will. No one has kidnapped me or forced me into this decision. I came to Bareilly voluntarily because I wanted to be with Rajesh and embrace a faith that aligns with my beliefs,” Ruby asserted.
However, she has expressed fears for her safety, stating that she may face threats from her own family due to her conversion and interfaith marriage. She has requested police protection, fearing retaliation.
Authorities in both Aligarh and Bareilly are monitoring the situation closely, while Ruby and Rajesh begin their life together under a new identity, hoping for peace, acceptance, and protection under the law.
