Hadiya's father joins BJP, vows support to Sabarimala stir

KM Ashokan, the father of Hadiya, the 26-year-old Kerala woman who converted to Islam and married a Muslim man in 2016, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He also pledged his support for the party’s ongoing stir against the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala temple. BJP general secretary B Gopalakrishnan gave former serviceman KM Ashokan the membership of the party on Monday.

In March, the Supreme Court had set aside a Kerala High Court order annulling Adiya (formerly called Akila Ashokan)’s marriage with a Muslim man, Shafin Jahan. Ashokan had approached the top court alleging that his daughter was a victim of ‘love jihad’.

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After joining the BJP, Ashokan said that it was the only political outfit which was working towards safeguarding the Hindu belief. “I was a Communist Party follower since my childhood. But of late the party is playing dirty vote-bank politics eyeing minority votes. I failed to understand if somebody talks about Hindus he turns communal in no time,” he said adding he will actively participate in the ongoing stir in Sabarimala.

“Like many Hindus of Kerala, I am also torn between my belief and law. I personally believe customs and traditions should not come under the preview of courts. Let religious scholars and other decide on such issues,” he said as quoted by a leading daily.

The Kerala High Court had in May last year annulled the marriage terming it as an instance of 'love jihad', following which Jahan had approached the apex court. The matter came to the fore when Jahan had challenged the high court order annulling the marriage and sent Hadiya to her parents' custody.

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The Supreme Court had in August last year asked the National Investigation Agency to probe the case of Hadiya’s conversion and marriage, as the agency claimed a "pattern" was emerging in Kerala. On November 27, 2017, the top court had freed Hadiya from her parents' custody and sent her to college to pursue her studies, even as she had pleaded that she should be allowed to go with her husband. On March 8, the Supreme Court had set aside the Kerala High Court order annulling her marriage to Jahan.

Hadiya is pursuing her mandatory house surgeon internship at the Sivaraj Homeopathic Medical College and Research Institute in Tamil Nadu's Salem district for completing her Bachelor in Homeopathy Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) course.