There are growing concerns about whether women are respected in Islam and whether anyone is standing up against the abuse they face. Reports indicate that an increasing number of young men and women are leaving Islam and converting to other religions, particularly Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). Recently, a Muslim woman from Assam abandoned Islam and embraced Sanatana Dharma due to her disillusionment with certain practices. The woman, Regina Begum, an engineering student from Rangiya, Assam, converted to Hinduism, saying she had grown tired of the jihadist activities in her religion. She had long wished to adopt Sanatana Dharma and has now changed her name to Ananya.
The conversion ceremony, known as “Ghar Wapsi,” was conducted at the sacred Shri Shri Jakhlabandha Satra in Nagaon, under the spiritual guidance of Jugal Chandra Dev Goswami. The event followed Hindu rituals, including a “havan,” with around 1,100 people also converting to Sanatana Dharma. Goswami reported that there was an attempt to attack him for helping the young woman.
Goswami recalled receiving a call asking if he could visit Guwahati, which he agreed to. Along with a friend from the Vishva Hindu Parishad, he traveled to Rangiya to meet the woman. However, they were followed by some individuals upon their arrival. Fortunately, they managed to escape that day. Later, they asked the woman to give a sworn statement in court, after which the ceremony was conducted.
Meanwhile, the country has seen numerous cases related to forced conversions. Various incidents of Muslim men luring underage girls into Islam under the guise of love, known as “Love Jihad,” have been reported, with Hindu organizations raising concerns. There are also instances where individuals voluntarily convert to Hinduism.
One such case was reported a few months ago when a Muslim man renounced Islam and became a Hindu monk. Salim Ansari from Prayagraj said he left Islam after witnessing his father’s cruelty towards his mother. He felt that Hindus were more compassionate and respectful towards women. Salim recounted seeing his father abuse his mother multiple times, even in front of him, and it was often their Hindu neighbors who saved her from his father’s violence. This led Salim to develop an interest in Sanatana Dharma, eventually embracing it after his father’s death. He changed his name to Vedvrat Shukla and now spends most of his time in an ashram, where he is responsible for spreading Vedic teachings.
Similarly, a young man in Madhya Pradesh learned about the values of Hinduism from his Hindu girlfriend and decided to convert. Legal proceedings for his conversion began in December of last year. These stories are increasingly being reported, with many saying they feel more secure in Hinduism and were able to escape the hardships they faced in Islam.
