A young woman from West Bengal has sought justice from the authorities in a heart wrenching incident that has once again sparked discussions around forced religious conversions and "Love Jihad" charges in Karnataka’s capital. She claims that a man from Bengaluru enticed her into a relationship, compelled her to give up her religious beliefs to take up Islam, and has since left her and their infant child.
The Background: An Internet Connection
The victim of the incident, a West Bengal native, said to have met the accused a man named Syed Imtiaz, a resident of BTM Layout via social media. These interactions soon became intimate and ended up in a romantic exchange. Syed told the victim of what he was living, a life of happiness and love, moving her to Bengaluru to be with him, according to her statement.
Conversion and Marriage Forced
The victim claims that once she came to the city, the pressure to accept Syed’s religion began from Day 1. She insists she was coerced into taking Islam and the new name 'Zainab.' On completion of their conversion, the couple formally married in July 2023. They lived together as a married couple for a short duration. But, the victim says the atmosphere radically changed once their child came into the world.
Abandonment in Kolkata
The situation has come to a head recently when the victim gave birth to a baby girl. Syed brought her and the newborn to Kolkata on a specific pretext, the victim says. But when they finally got to West Bengal, Syed supposedly left the mother and child there, escaping to Bengaluru or another location, cutting off contact from both the mother and child.
Landed with the baby and no financial support, the victim returned to Bengaluru to hold him accountable. She now lodged an outright complaint against Syed Imtiaz, alleging betrayal, forced conversion, and desertion.
Current Status of the Case and the Public Response
Now, the victim, who is pleading with the police and social activists for justice, is crying out for Syed to be accountable for his actions and for him to support their daughter. Local authorities have begun an inquiry into the matters questioning if the marriage documents were genuine and whether this was coerced conversion.
This case has only exacerbated the sociopolitical conflict in Bengaluru regarding marriage under false pretenses. Activists want a complete investigation to protect the victim and her child.
