Kashmir’s Muslim bodies condemn ‘forced’ interfaith marriage

Kashmir-based spiritual bodies on Monday expressed their assist to the Sikh group, a day after the group leaders alleged {that a} lady was compelled to marry a Muslim man and transformed to Islam.

“Sikh brethren are a part and parcel of Kashmir’s society. There is no place for forcible conversion in Islam and reports of forcible conversion of Sikh girl to other religion on a gun-point can never be considered as a conversion in Islamic jurisprudence,” J&K’s grand mufti Nasir-ul-Islam stated.

He urged an neutral inquiry into the matter. “Kashmir is known for maintaining communal harmony for years together and Sikhs are important part of Kashmir’s age-old culture, ethos and communal brotherhood. No one will be allowed to play with the faith of Sikh brethren,” Mr. Islam stated.

Teams of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), an amalgam of spiritual leaders and spiritual bodies, additionally visited the household of the Sikh lady who was allegedly compelled to marry a aged Muslim man. “We have taken a serious note of the issue. We will ensure that the Sikh community is assured full support of Muslims. Islam does not believe in coercion,” an MMU spokesman stated.

Mufti Anayatullah, Imam on the Markazi Jamia Masjid-Jammu, stated the allegations of forceful conversion have been severe and has no place in Islamic principals. “I have strong reasons to believe that the incident is completely private in nature but certain elements are trying to give it a religious colour. I request the administration to hold an impartial investigation in the matter,” he stated.

National Conference’s Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party’s Mehbooba Mufti alleged that an try was being made to divide the folks in J&K.

“The authorities should move quickly to investigate the recent cause of tension and if anyone has broken the law the should be prosecuted and necessary punishment handed out. Any move to drive a wedge between Sikhs and Muslims in Kashmir will cause irreparable harm to J&K,” Mr. Abdullah stated.

Ms. Mufti stated she hoped the investigation company will resolve the problem.

Jagmohan Singh Raina, president of the All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC), stated the group was agitating over the “forcible” marriage of a Sikh lady from Rainawari space of Srinagar.

“This forced marriage was pre-planned and backed by some powerful people. The girl’s parents were not allowed to go inside the court. The girl was forced to sign marriage papers. we want an end to such incidents,” Mr. Raina instructed The Puucho.

Meanwhile, the police stated it has handed over the lady to the household. “We saw two to three such cases in the past one year. People are disturbing the communal harmony. Since ages we have been living together with brotherhood and this age-old bond cannot be broken with such conspiracies. The accused should be arrested as soon as possible and tried in the court of law for abduction and forcible marriage,” he added.