Representational Photo
Srinagar: Another Sikh women alleged to have been converted to Islam by force Tuesday released a video on social media declaring that she has embraced Islam and married a man of her choice by free will and without coercion.
Viran Pal Kour, who became Khadeeja after marrying Manzoor Ahmad Bhat on January 20 this year as per Islamic rituals, revealed that she had already approached the J&K High Court in May this year and sought protection from any harassment for her decision.
“I approached the Jammu and Kashmir High Court seeking protection from any coercive action by my family and the police as I changed my religion and married a Muslim man willingly”.
In an order passed on May 20, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey had directed the police to ensure the woman’s parents — Rattan Singh and Popinder Kour — or anyone else at their behest does not harass, attack, kidnap or harm the couple.
” and they shall be allowed to live their married life the way they like and protect their rights in terms of the guarantee as enshrined by the Constitution of India,” the order said.
The woman (26) and her husband (31), who declared their marriage before the public notary in Budgam district court in February, had told the court that they were living like nomads as her parents had lodged a complaint at Satwari Police Station in Jammu against Manzoor.
The court had directed Satwari SHO not to take any coercive action based on the complaint. It had also asked the Budgam police chief to ensure the implementation of the directions in letter and spirit.
Earlier another allegedly abducted woman had said in a video message that she converted in 2012 and married her batchmate Muzaffar legally and with consent in 2014.
Girl Married To Man From Community
Meanwhile reports said a Sikh woman, who was restored to her family from her alleged kidnapper amid allegations of forced conversion, was Tuesday married off to a man from the Sikh community.
“The girl was married to Sukhbir Singh today. They knew each other and there was no coercion or force used (against the girl), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Delhi president Paramjit Singh told reporters here.
He thanked all the people who made the marriage possible.
Asked if the 18-year-old woman was already married to a Muslim man following her alleged conversion, he said no marriage had taken place.
He appealed to people to maintain the age-old communal harmony in Kashmir.
“We do not want any (anti-conversion) law. The majority community has to take care of the minority community,” he added.
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