Radhika Maurya accuses Ghalib Khan of ‘brainwashing’ her daughter-in-law, Seema Maurya; Azamgarh police dismiss forced conversion allegation
NEW DELHI/AZAMGARH – In yet another incident raising questions over the alleged misuse of religious conversion, a case from Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh has shown how false claims can harm innocent people, especially Muslims, living with dignity and honesty.
Police have now confirmed that the complaint filed by a woman named Radhika Maurya against a Muslim teacher and college manager was not related to religious conversion, but was part of a domestic family feud.
The accused, Ghalib Khan, a senior figure at Sir Syed Inter College in the Ahiraula town in the district, has been cleared of all charges.
The story began when Radhika Maurya accused Ghalib Khan of “brainwashing” her daughter-in-law, Seema Maurya, a computer teacher at the same college. Radhika claimed that Seema had stopped performing Hindu rituals and started practising Muslim prayers like Roza (fasting) and Namaz (prayer), allegedly under the influence of Khan.
She further alleged that Khan sent Seema a train ticket and called her back to the college after her husband had taken her to Saharanpur.
But when police took the complaint seriously and launched a proper investigation, they found no link to any conversion attempt. Instead, the situation turned out to be a personal matter between Seema and her husband.
Speaking to local reporters, a senior police official said: “There is no sign of religious conversion or any outside pressure. This is a private issue between husband and wife, related to the woman’s job. The man did not want his wife to continue working, and this created tension.”
According to the police, Seema’s husband, Parag Maurya, who recently joined the electricity department as a junior engineer, was against her continuing her career. But Seema wanted to keep working and live an independent life. This clash caused stress in the family and eventually led to the complaint.
Police officials confirmed that they found no evidence of religious influence, force, or any sort of “brainwashing.”
In a strong and emotional statement, Ghalib Khan told the press: “This is not just about me — it’s about the image of Muslims in our country. I have worked in the education sector for years and never forced my faith on anyone. I live with self-respect. These false claims hurt me deeply.”
He added that Seema, like other teachers, was staying in the staff quarters provided by the college. “She is a teacher. She has a right to live safely and work freely. I am not involved in her personal life in any way,” Khan said.
This is not the first time Muslims have been falsely accused under the guise of “conversion.” Many in the Muslim community say that such accusations are part of a growing trend to criminalise Muslim identity and make peaceful co-existence difficult.
A local social activist, Aslam Qureshi, reacted sharply to the case: “When a Hindu man or woman changes their food habits or lifestyle, nobody raises a finger. But if a Muslim is involved, it becomes a ‘conversion’ case. Why is our loyalty to the country questioned every time?”
Another resident, Safia Bano, who teaches Urdu at a government school, said: “We are constantly living under fear. Any small misunderstanding can be turned into a big allegation. We Muslims are part of this country just like everyone else. But we are being pushed aside again and again.”
Seema Maurya, the woman at the centre of the controversy, has not made any public statement yet, but sources say she is “deeply disturbed” by the personal matter being dragged into public and religious debate.
A senior police official, who did not wish to be named, said: “People need to understand that false complaints not only waste police time but destroy reputations. Such complaints must be checked before any arrest or media report.”
Surprisingly, even after the truth came out, complainant Radhika has not expressed any regret for filing the false case. Community leaders have asked the district administration to take legal action against those who file such misleading complaints.
Over the past few years, several Muslims have been arrested or questioned in similar cases. Many were later found innocent, but the social damage had already been done. Some lost their jobs, others faced public humiliation, and many families were torn apart.
Well-known lawyer and human rights advocate Faizan Ahmed said, “This case in Azamgarh once again shows how the law is being used against Muslims. When a Hindu family has a domestic fight, it’s called ‘family matter’. But if a Muslim is even distantly connected, it becomes a conversion case.”
Religious leaders from both communities have urged people not to use faith for personal fights.
Maulana Shafiqur Rahman, an imam from the local mosque, said: “Islam clearly forbids forced conversion. Our religion teaches respect, not pressure. Using religion as a weapon in personal quarrels is not just wrong, it’s a sin.”
He added that Muslims are proud citizens of the country, and such cases only create more division.
Many voices are now asking: Who will give justice to Ghalib Khan? Who will heal the wound that such a baseless accusation has left behind?
A local student named Tabassum, who studies at the same college, said: “Sir (Ghalib Khan) always treated us like his own children. We never felt anything wrong. People should stop blaming Muslims every time there is a problem.”
As the police continue with legal formalities and further paperwork, the case has become a wake-up call for society. It shows how quickly truth can be twisted, and how fast people can jump to conclusions, especially when Muslims are involved.
This story is not just about one teacher or one manager. It is about the need to stop using religion as a weapon. It is about the right of Muslims to live, work, and speak freely, without fear or false blame.
And above all, it is about justice. Because if justice fails, peace will fail too.
