J&K: Sikh Woman Allegedly Forcibly Converted Returns, Married Off In Community

Kashmir Sikh women conversion: A Sikh woman who was allegedly kidnapped, was brought to Delhi by her family members from Jammu and Kashmir and was married off to a man from the Sikh community.

Over the week, there have been protests in Jammu and Kashmir by Sikhs against the alleged forced conversion of Sikh women. According to reports, Manjinder Singh Sirsa of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had alleged that four Sikh women were forcibly converted to Islam. More here. 

The Delhi President of SAD, Paramjit Singh told the reporters about one Sikh woman Manmeet Kaur's return, "The girl was married to Sukhbir Singh today. They knew each other and there was no coercion or force used (against the girl)." He claimed that the 18-year-old woman was not married to a Muslim man. He added, "We do not want any (anti-conversion) law. The majority community has to take care of the minority community."

Police sources told Indian Express that Manmeet Kaur when presented in court, gave her statement and said that she had married a Muslim man out of her own free will. So far, the Muslim man and his family have made no comments.

Thanking Sangat for extending such a welcome to Sikh daughter, Manmeet Kaur from Srinagar, who was forcefully converted but she has regained her freedom. She has come to Delhi with us today to take blessings&thank Sangat for supporting her family: Manjinder S Sirsa, SAD leader pic.twitter.com/uKYoDysmFM

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2021

Kashmir Sikh Women Conversion Sparks Outrage, Protests In The Valley

One other woman out of the four allegedly converted had appealed to the court asking for protection from her family members, reports said.

As per Times Now, the 26-year-old woman who changed her name from Viran Pal Lour to Khadeeja told Jammu and Kashmir High Court that she had willingly converted to Islam. Khadeeja and her 31-year-old husband got married in January this year and approached the court in May.

They claimed that they were living like nomads, as per reports. The couple claimed that the woman's parents had lodged a complaint against the husband at Satwari Police Station in Jammu. On May 20, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed the police to make sure that woman's parents or anyone else does not harass, kidnap, attack or harm the couple.

The High Court read, "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."