In a remarkable case of Ghar Wapsi from Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit and Farrukhabad districts, two Muslim women—Rumaisha and Sabina—chose to embrace Sanatan Dharma, adopt Hindu names, and marry their respective lovers. Defying societal expectations and religious boundaries, their decisions reflect personal conviction and spiritual alignment, even as they seek legal protection to begin their new lives with dignity and safety.
Rumaisha’s Journey
Rumaisha, a resident of Pilibhit, was born into a Muslim family in Shravasti district. Her journey of Ghar Wapsi began when she decided to leave her former faith and embrace Sanatan Dharma. Renaming herself Rani, she chose to marry her lover, defying her family’s wishes and societal pressures. Rani expressed her happiness with her new identity, saying, “I am feeling good here with him. I like Sanatan Dharma, and that is why I married him.”
Rani’s decision to undergo Ghar Wapsi was not without its challenges. She shared her dissatisfaction with aspects of her former Muslim community, particularly the practice of divorce and halala, which she found uncomfortable. She added, “I did not like all this. I have married him in Sanatan Dharma because I believe in its values.” Despite facing opposition from her family and fearing potential backlash from some members of her community, Rani courageously sought legal protection, reaching out to the court for her safety.
Sabina’s Transformation
Similarly, Sabina from Farrukhabad underwent a profound transformation as part of her Ghar Wapsi, changing her name to Suman after converting to Sanatan Dharma. Her story was equally marked by personal struggle, as she had been married to a Muslim man named Saddam for six years. Unfortunately, her marriage was fraught with abuse, as Saddam regularly subjected her to physical violence. Amidst the turmoil, she found solace in her friendship with Vijay, Saddam’s coworker in Maharashtra, who regularly visited their home.
Over time, Sabina and Vijay grew close, and their friendship blossomed into love. Choosing to leave her abusive husband, Sabina relocated to her ancestral village in Farrukhabad, where she lived with Vijay in a live-in relationship for about eight months. Their bond grew stronger, and Sabina eventually decided to undergo her Ghar Wapsi, embracing Sanatan Dharma and adopting the name Suman. She proudly stated, “My father and grandfather were followers of Sanatan Dharma, and I am changing my religion of my own free will. There is no pressure of any kind on me.”
Sabina’s decision was a poignant one, as it marked not just her religious transformation through Ghar Wapsi but also her personal liberation from an oppressive marriage. She found a sense of peace and freedom in her new identity and her life with Vijay.
A Growing Trend of Ghar Wapsi
This is not the first instance of such transformative journeys. Earlier, in Assam, 15 highly educated Muslim girls embraced Sanatan Dharma and married Hindu men. The revelation was made by Yugal Chandra Deb Goswami, the Satradhikar of Jakhalabandha Satra, during a press conference in Nagaon. He attributed this shift to the religious freedom and inclusivity found in Sanatan Dharma. Among those converted was even a High Court advocate, with more reportedly seeking guidance for Ghar Wapsi. Additionally, a Muslim woman named Amina from Karimganj district converted to Sanatan Dharma and married her long-time Hindu partner, Shyam Ravidas. The wedding, held under VHP supervision, followed Sanatan Dharma rituals and legal procedure. Amina now goes by the name Radha Ravidas.
