She changed religion to marry a married man, is now hounded

CHANDIGARH: ‘‘My daughter is naive. She does not know what she has got into. All I want is a chance to speak to her, so I can try and convince her to take the right decision,’’ says Neelam Sharma, the distraught mother of 21-year-old Avedna Sharma alias Aalia Hussain.

Avedna, a Hindu Brahmin, converted to Islam so that she could marry 36-year-old Zakir Hussain, who is already married and has three children. Islam allows a man to have four wives at a time.

Not convinced with the marriage, Avedna’s elder brother Anuj Sharma moved the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class at Ambala on August 26. He alleged that the marriage and other documents produced by Zakir and Avedna in the High Court were forged. An inquiry was also sought. The court directed that a case be registered against the five officials of the Punjab Waqf Board who allegedly conspired with Zakir to prepare the fake affidavit.

Now, the couple is on the run, hiding from Avedna’s parents. ‘‘First, I lost my job at the Waqf Board. Later, I was reinstated but cannot work due to fear of her family. Case after case is being registered against us and our friends. This is the latest in the series,’’ says Zakir. ‘‘What’s a job, I can give up my life for her," he adds.

While her brother has alleged that Avedna is under pressure and has been threatened to do what she is doing, the young bride counters: ‘‘I have married Zakir, whom I met four years ago, by my own will and am very happy with him. I am under no pressure.’’

She adds, ‘‘I don’t know why my parents are doing this. They feel they have been humiliated by my marriage but I think they are humiliating themselves much more by levelling allegations against Zakir and me. They should accept our marriage.’’

Her mother, Neelam, isn’t convinced. ‘‘I met Zakir’s wife (Khatiza Hussain, 30). She appeared very scared. Zakir should take care of his wife,’’ she says adding, ‘‘We just want Avedna to come back. We don’t care what has happened. Everything can be pardoned. Our daughter has made a big mistake, but there is always a second chance.’’ She adds, ‘‘I would never dream of hurting her. Avedna has not spoken openly to us about her relationship.’’

While her brother has alleged that Avedna contemplated suicide, the girl denies this. ‘‘Just let us lead a normal life,’’ she pleads. As the wedding bangles tinkle on her wrists, the newly-weds hug, perhaps to send across a message.