Missing Kerala Hindu girl converts to Islam; goes back to parents on HC assurance

Three weeks after Athira aka Aysha left home in Kasaragod to study and get converted to Islam, the Kerala High Court on Monday advised her to go with her parents on the condition that she should be allowed to continue with her life as per her wish.

Athira went with her parents after they promised to allow her to continue Islamic religious studies.

After she surrendered to the police at Kannur on July 27, she was sent to a women’s home by Hosdurg court.

It was following this that her parents approached the high court seeking her custody.

In the HC, Athira said that she got converted as per her wish and would like to continue her studies.

Her parents also informed court that they would allow her to continue with her beliefs.

Police also said in court that there was a chance the girl could be influenced by IS ideology.

On July 10, Athira had left her home in Uduma of Kasaragod district after leaving behind a 15-page letter explaining her experiences and how she was attracted towards Islam.

After leaving home, she had contacted her maternal uncle and informed that she was not able to find peace at home.

On Thursday while speaking to Asianet News after she surrendered to police in Kannur, Athira had said that she was staying with one of her friends in Kannur and was ready to go back to her parents if they were willing to allow her continue in Islam.

She added that she got converted to Islam without any compulsion.

“There were many allegations that I have gone to join Islamic State. I have not even taken my passport. I am a bit concerned about people connecting me to IS, but I have no connection with that. I love my parents, I have no problem living with them if they are willing to accept me, but I want to study the Islamic religion,” Athira said.

She had told Asianet that she has been studying about Islam for the last many years and her parents were accepting of her earlier.