Daijiworld Media Network – Agra

Agra, Jul 21: Mohammad Ali, one of the 10 arrested in a multi-state illegal religious conversion racket, has expressed a desire to return to Hinduism, claiming he was misled into converting. Originally known as Piyush Panwar from Rajasthan, Ali is currently lodged in Agra jail and reportedly broke down during interrogation.

The Uttar Pradesh Police busted the racket under ‘Mission Asmita’ after two sisters from Agra, aged 33 and 18, went missing in March. Preliminary probe linked their disappearance to a gang involved in ‘love jihad’ and radicalisation. Investigations also traced funding sources to the US and Canada.

Ali told police he was coerced into converting in 2021 to marry a woman named Shana from Tonk, Rajasthan. After he adopted Islam and changed his name, Shana reportedly rejected him. Alienated from his family, he later married a Muslim woman in Bareilly.

In his pursuit of religious identity, Ali came in contact with PFI member Mohammad Gaus and controversial cleric Kaleem Siddiqui, convicted in a similar case earlier. He received religious training in West Bengal and was introduced to Ayesha from Goa, another accused in the case, who maintained records of converted girls.

Ali said he was drawn deeper into the network without realising the extent of its operations. He admitted regret over his choices and expressed willingness to apologise to his parents and revert to Hinduism.

Others arrested include individuals from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. Police said the gang’s methods of radicalisation resembled that of ISIS.

This major breakthrough comes just days after the arrest of Chhangur Baba alias Jamaluddin, alleged mastermind of another religious conversion gang.