In a disturbing development, a Hindu student from Goa, identified as SB Krishna, was allegedly drawn into a religious conversion network while pursuing her MSc in Data Science at Panjab University, Chandigarh. The student, now known as Ayesha after her conversion to Islam, was reportedly influenced by a group of Kashmiri students on campus.
According to media reports, the students encouraged her to adopt Islamic practices, such as wearing the burqa and offering namaz. She eventually accompanied them to Kashmir and stayed there for several days, unbeknownst to her family. Concerned by her disappearance, her parents filed a missing person report in Delhi. Krishna later returned from the valley on her own, reportedly disillusioned with the experience.
After being brought back to Goa, her family confiscated her phone in an effort to disconnect her from external influences. However, six months later, she fled again this time to Kolkata where she formally converted to Islam and adopted the name Ayesha. It was in Kolkata that she became actively involved in organizing and raising funds for alleged conversion-related activities.
Wider Conversion Racket Uncovered
Police investigations revealed that Ayesha was part of a broader network operating across multiple states, allegedly led by Abdul Rehman, a key figure arrested in Delhi’s Mustafabad area. Rehman, originally named Mahendra Pal Jadoun from Firozabad, is said to have been working under Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui an Islamic cleric currently serving a life sentence for mass religious conversions.
Authorities have uncovered that Ayesha managed several WhatsApp groups for fundraising and maintained links with individuals involved in the conversion network. During questioning, several digital communications and videos have surfaced, further implicating her in the case.
Converted Individuals Recruited Across India
Five additional individuals, all of whom had converted from Hinduism to Islam, were also arrested in connection with the case. Among them was Mohammad Ali (formerly Piyush Pawar), arrested in Jaipur. He reportedly converted to marry a Muslim woman and later became affiliated with the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI) through Kaleem Siddiqui.
Another accused, Mohammad Ibrahim (formerly Reeth Banik), was responsible for bringing two sisters from Agra to Kolkata. The sisters, who were later rescued, were believed to have been heavily indoctrinated and trained under Salafi ideologies. One of them even expressed a willingness to become a “Mujahida,” or female jihadist, indicating a deep level of radicalization.
Evidence of Radicalization and Propaganda
Authorities recovered several videos from Ayesha’s phone, including one showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the Ram Mandir, accompanied by an inflammatory voiceover suggesting temples should be demolished. Additionally, images of assault rifles, including AK-47s, were found on the social media accounts of one of the rescued sisters.
During the rescue operation, the sisters initially resisted leaving, claiming they had found their “true purpose.” Police female officers eventually persuaded them to return to their family in Agra. Investigators believe the girls may have been part of an ISIS-linked radicalization module, with significant social media contact between them and Abdul Rehman.
The case file includes documented conversations and digital evidence linking the individuals involved to broader efforts of religious indoctrination and recruitment. Authorities continue to investigate the network and are working to identify and support other possible victims.
(With inputs from OpIndia)
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