Hadiya says I embraced Islam on will; Seeks permission from SC to live with husband

Akhila Ashokan popularly known as Hadiya, a 24-year-old woman from Kerala who converted to Islam to marry a Muslim man, on Tuesday filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court seeking permission to live with Shafin Jahan as husband and wife.

Hadiya in an affidavit filed the affidavit through Advocate Sayid Marzook Bafaki at the Apex Court stated that she embraced Islam and married to Shafin Jahan on her own will.

“I embraced the religion of Islam on my choice after studying about Islam and thereafter I married a person, namely Shafin Jahan. I embraced Islam and married him on my own free will,” reads the affidavit.

She also requested the Supreme Court to restore are liberty by allowing her to stay with Jahan as husband and wife.

Hadiya —  who is currently pursuing her medical course from Shivaraj Homeopathy Medical College in Tamil Nadu’s Salem after Supreme Court’s direction in November,2017 —  has requested the Apex Court to appoint Jahan as her guardian.

Also read: Hadiya returns to college in Salem, will resume classes as Akhila; Hopes to meet husband

She also informed the court that her father is an atheist and was under the influence of certain sections of people who are trying to use him.

“My father, who is an atheist, would not object to me changing my religion or marry someone from different religion. I further submit that all those people caused to subject me to the horrendous torture and torments,” Hadiya stated in the affidavit.

The 24-year-old’s marriage to a Muslim man and conversion had triggered widespread controversy across the country. Several political leaders and Hindu fundamentalists had termed her conversion as love jihad.