Srinagar, April 6: Jammu and Kashmir police have registered an FIR into an incident that took place on Jumat-ul-Vida, wherein a non-local reportedly converted to Islam, termed by the police FIR as a “forced conversion.”
The video of the conversion incident went viral on social media platforms, particularly Facebook.
An FIR copy accessed by Kashmir Dot Com states, “According to reliable sources, the video, shared by certain individuals associated with News Portals, depicts a person named Sandeep, residing in Haryana, purportedly converting his religion during Friday prayers at the Hazratbal shrine.”
“The dissemination of this video has stirred unrest among the public and raised concerns about religious harmony and tolerance. The incident has also evoked strong reactions beyond the borders of Jammu and Kashmir and UT, potentially fueling sectarianism and communal discord,” the police mentioned in the FIR.
“Further investigation revealed that Sandeep was allegedly mentally manipulated by the owner of the house, Anayat Muntazir, a resident of Nowhatta, who employed Sandeep as a domestic worker at his home in Srinagar. Anayat reportedly took Sandeep to the Hazratbal shrine, where he allegedly coerced him into reciting the Kalma during congregational prayers to convert his religion,” the police FIR further elaborated.
Meanwhile, an official told Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com that FIR no. 55/2024 has been registered at Police Station Nigeen under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), 298 (Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), and 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony).
Moreover, a Sub-Inspector ranked official has been assigned the task of completing the case file and submitting the investigation report to the Superintendent of Police for further action.
The Jammu and Kashmir police have urged the public to remain calm as they work to address the matter diligently and ensure justice prevails.–(KDC)
