A police team from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, has departed for Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir to bring back a 17-year-old boy after his family alleged he was forcibly converted to Islam while working at a salon. However, a mosque in Kashmir claimed that the teenager adopted the religion voluntarily.
Background of the Incident
Vishal Kumar, a resident of Khanjahanpur Bahadar village under Bijnor city police station limits, had traveled to Kupwara due to financial hardship. According to his family, they received calls, videos, and a letter from an unknown number on May 17, showing him offering namaz, adopting a new Islamic identity, and announcing his conversion.
Family's Allegations
Vishal's father, Krishna Kumar, stated that his son was a minor and had gone to Kashmir with Waseem Ahmad from Kaziwala village. He explained, "My son passed his high school examination in 2023 and then went to Kashmir with one Waseem Ahmad from Kaziwala village to work at a salon. He returned home on May 5 and left again for Kashmir on May 10. On May 17, we received videos and a letter issued by a local mosque claiming that Vishal had embraced Islam. We were shocked after watching the videos."
Krishna Kumar approached Bijnor police on May 17 and filed a complaint, alleging a larger conspiracy and demanding strict action against those responsible for allegedly forcibly changing his son's religion. The videos later circulated on social media, prompting local Hindu organizations to become active and meet district officials.
Police Response
Circle Officer of Bijnor, Sangram Singh, stated, "Police have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections. A team has left for Kashmir to recover the boy. The investigation is underway."
Mosque's Counterclaim
A letter purportedly issued by the office of Markazi Jamia Masjid, Glasdaji Manigah, in Kashmir, has surfaced on social media. It claimed that on May 15, at Markazi Jamia Masjid Glasdaji Manigah, Vishal voluntarily accepted Islam and was given the name Mohammad Hamza. The declaration stated that the conversion took place under the supervision of Maulvi Qayyum Ahangar in the presence of local witnesses, and asserted that he accepted Islam of his own will, understanding, and belief, without pressure or coercion.
Next Steps
Police said further action would depend on the teenager's statement after he is brought back, and on examination of the videos, phone records, travel details, and the role of those who took him to Kupwara.
