Ayush Malik returns to Hinduism after earlier voluntary conversion to Islam, cites parents’ distress

Shamli: A 27-year-old man from Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh, Ayush Malik, who had previously stated that he converted to Islam voluntarily, has now announced that he has returned to Hinduism.

He said his decision was influenced by the emotional distress his parents experienced after his conversion.

A video circulating online shows Ayush participating in Hindu religious rituals. In the video, he says that although he had embraced Islam earlier, he has now chosen to return to Hinduism of his own free will and wishes to live with his family.

Multiple media outlets reported that Ayush shared the video himself, though Hindustan Times noted it could not independently verify its authenticity.

Earlier, Ayush had said he had been following Islam since 2008 and had married Chandni Qureshi, a resident of Shamli, through a nikah ceremony in Delhi. He explained that he kept both his conversion and marriage hidden from his family for years because his sisters were unmarried.

Following a complaint filed by Ayush’s father, Devraj Malik, Chandni Qureshi and her father, Islam Qureshi, were arrested. The complaint alleged that Ayush had been converted to Islam under the pretext of marriage and that forged documents were used during the nikah in Delhi. It also claimed the accused placed psychological pressure on Ayush, made inappropriate demands, and attempted to persuade other members of his family to convert.

Ayush had earlier denied these allegations, maintaining that he had converted voluntarily and was not subjected to coercion, inducement, or brainwashing. He also alleged that his father filed the police complaint under external pressure. At the time, he publicly stated that he was a Muslim and did not intend to return to Hinduism.

Additionally, Ayush rejected claims that Chandni’s family had targeted him because of his family’s wealth or sought control over their property, calling such allegations false and misleading.

The matter remains the subject of legal proceedings, while the authenticity of the recent video announcing his return to Hinduism has not been independently verified by Hindustan Times.