A Dalit family in Haryana’s Nuh district has converted to Islam, triggering protests from Hindu organisations and a police case.
Chetram, a 45-year-old mason from Marora village, is now known as Mohammad Ikram. His wife Rekha has taken the name Rukhsar, while their three children have also adopted new names after embracing Islam.
The conversion came to light after Chetram’s brother, Satbir, filed a complaint at Nagina police station, alleging that the family was pressured and lured into changing their faith. Based on his complaint, police registered a case against two men, Shahid and Sirajuddin.
Chetram, however, has denied any coercion. In an affidavit dated April 3, 2025, he wrote, “Influenced by the goodness of Islam, I have voluntarily accepted Islam along with my wife and children, without any fear or greed. We have no connection with our previous religion anymore.”
Police brought Chetram and his wife to Nuh court, where both repeated their stand. “We accepted Islam willingly. Nobody forced us. We will remain in it,” they told the magistrate. Videos of the couple making similar statements have also surfaced online.
Despite this, tension has gripped the area. Hindu organisations gathered in large numbers outside Nagina police station after the FIR was lodged. Local leaders accused Muslim groups of carrying out “systematic conversions” of Hindus in Nuh.
At a panchayat held in the district, speakers warned of launching a major agitation if authorities failed to act. “People from weaker sections are being targeted. This will not be tolerated,” said one of the leaders at the meeting. The panchayat resolved to submit a memorandum to the state government and, if necessary, call a district-wide Mahapanchayat.
Police officials said Chetram’s family has gone into hiding since their court appearance and may be seeking protection, citing threats to their lives.
Nuh’s Marora village has around 6,000 people, mostly Muslim, with only 15 Scheduled Caste Hindu families. Chetram’s conversion has now placed the small community at the centre of a widening political and social storm.
