Kanpur: On January 29, a 23-year-old Hindu youth, Deepak Singh, also known as Rohit, died by suicide in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after allegedly facing pressure to convert to Islam. Before taking the step, he recorded a video stating that he was being forced to change his religion but would remain loyal to his Hindu faith.
The video, recorded prior to his death, went viral on social media the next day. In the footage, Singh identifies himself as Deepak Singh Gaur and claims that he was being pressured to convert to Islam. He reiterates his refusal to do so, appeals for a ban on ganja in India, and calls for respect toward women. He also apologises to people he had met, acknowledges his mistakes, and speaks about contemplating suicide.
धर्म परिवर्तन के दबाव से परेशान युवक ने फांसी लगाकर आत्महत्या कर ली। घटना पनकी थाना क्षेत्र की रतनपुर चौकी इलाके की है। सुसाइड से पहले युवक ने एक वीडियो बनाया, जिसमें धर्म परिवर्तन के लिए दबाव बनाए जाने की बात कही है। परिजनों ने शव रख लगाया जाम।@kanpurnagarpol #Kanpur pic.twitter.com/Omsr8ihLjR
— Shyam Tiwari (@Shyamtiwariknp) January 30, 2026
Singh’s sister, Nisha Singh, stated that he had travelled to her residence in Lucknow on January 26 to meet her. During his journey from Unnao to Charbagh, he did not respond to her calls. After reaching Lucknow, he broke down and told her that he had been pressured to convert to Islam. According to Nisha, Singh said that he was harassed and assaulted by four Muslim men on the train, who then forcibly took him to a mazar in the Charbagh area. Family members further alleged that Singh had been under severe mental distress due to the pressure to convert.
Following the incident, Singh’s family members and local residents staged a protest by placing his body on the road, demanding action against those they held responsible. Police officials reached the spot, pacified the protesters, and sent the body for post-mortem examination.
According to other reports, Singh’s mother discovered him hanging from a window when she went to wake him. During the investigation, police recovered the video from his mobile phone.
Police Commissioner Raghuveer Lal stated that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered and two investigation teams have been formed. He added that the video is being examined and that call detail records and CCTV footage from Charbagh railway station will be reviewed to verify the family’s allegations.
The victim had completed his 12th grade and was running a grocery store after previously working as an auto-rickshaw driver. Although he was initially taken to the hospital, his body was later returned to the family, who at first refused to consent to a post-mortem examination.
