The phenomenon of ghar wapsi, or returning to one’s ancestral faith, continues to resonate deeply within the Indian subcontinent and beyond. One recent story that has come to light is that of Ritika Prasad, a young Hindu girl from Bangladesh who experienced the harsh realities of love jihad and conversion and ultimately found her way back to Sanatan Dharma.
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Ritika Prasad’s story began with Shaheen Ahmed, a Muslim man from Bangladesh, who allegedly trapped her in a web of false promises and deceit. What initially seemed like a genuine relationship soon spiralled into a disturbing experience of coercion and abuse. Ritika, lured by Shaheen’s words, converted to Islam and married him. But this conversion was not the end of her journey—it was the beginning of her painful realisation and eventual ghar wapsi to her roots in Sanatan Dharma.
In a heartfelt video statement, Ritika candidly shared her ordeal. She explained how, after marrying Shaheen Ahmed, she was given a new name, Khadija, symbolising her forced entry into Islam. However, Ritika’s heart remained with Sanatan Dharma, which she now calls her “real religion.” She emphasised that her return to Sanatan Dharma was a conscious and free choice, a true ghar vapsi born out of her self-awareness and rejection of the hardships she faced.
The concept of ghar wapsi is not just a personal spiritual journey; it also represents a reclaiming of identity and faith for many who have been pressured or misled into abandoning their ancestral religions. Ritika’s case highlights the darker side of love jihad, where the guise of love is sometimes used as a tool to manipulate and convert. But her courageous decision to return to Sanatan Dharma serves as a beacon of hope for those caught in similar situations.
Ritika also spoke openly about the abusive treatment she endured from Shaheen Ahmed and his family after the marriage. She revealed that despite Shaheen’s assurances of respectful treatment, she faced verbal abuse and obscene behaviour. This abuse fueled her resolve to legally divorce him, marking a significant moment in her ghar wapsi journey back to Sanatan Dharma. Her story is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting women’s rights and freedom to choose their faith without coercion.
The return of Ritika Prasad to Sanatan Dharma through ghar vapsi also underscores a larger cultural and religious awakening happening in parts of South Asia. This case brings to the forefront the continuing challenges faced by minority communities in Bangladesh and neighbouring regions, where religious conversions through dubious means have been a growing concern. Ritika’s brave stand and her decision to embrace ghar wapsi is not only a personal victory but a clarion call to safeguard religious freedom and protect cultural heritage.
