Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 11: Vismaya, a college student from the city, recently married Ashfaque, a resident of Kasargod, Kerala. The marriage has sparked controversy, with some organizations alleging coercion.

Vismaya's father, Vinod, filed a complaint on June 30 at Ullal police station, accusing Mohammed Ashfaque of kidnapping his daughter. In the complaint, Vinod alleged that Ashfaque, who is reportedly already married and has over 15 criminal cases registered against him, abducted Vismaya with the intention of converting her.

Following the complaint, Vinod reached out to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for assistance in locating his daughter. The situation was characterized by these groups as a case of coercion or 'Love Jihad' , urging a thorough investigation. Police located Vismaya and initially sent her to a counseling center. However, Vismaya declined to return to her parents and instead chose to stay with a relative.

Amidst the ongoing situation, Ashfaque filed a Habeas Corpus petition, requesting the court's assistance in locating Vismaya. In response, Kerala police produced Vismaya in court, where she expressed her desire to live with Ashfaque. Their marriage photo has since circulated widely on social media.

Vismaya, originally from Vidyanagar in Kasargod, was a student in Mangaluru before leaving college after a year to work in a shop in Kasargod. It is reported that she met Ashfaque near the shop.

A local VHP leader, Sharan Pumpwell, commented on social media, stating, “Ashfaque, who has a criminal history, married Vismaya. We are sorry, Vinod; we couldn’t rescue your daughter. Vismaya's case is a clear example of 'Love Jihad'. Despite our efforts to help her, she was influenced to such an extent that she chose not to listen to her parents."