Amid 'love jihad' row, late Wajid Khan's wife reveals pressure from her in-laws for conversion

Khan's wife Kamalrukh Khan, who is a clinical hypnotherapist, has shared a long note on Instagram stating she was harassed by her in-laws for not converting to Islam.

Kamalrukh has alleged her two kids, a 16-year old daughter and a nine-year old son, are being denied inheritance because of her refusal to convert.

An excerpt from the post reads, "I have always respected, participated and celebrated all faiths. But my resistance to convert to Islam drastically widened the divide between me and my husband, making it toxic enough to destroy our relationship as husband and wife, and his ability to be a present father to our kids. My dignity and self respect did not permit me to bend backwards for him and his family, by converting to Islam."

She added, "Conversion was not a value system I believed in personally. It was also not the example of a deep set rotten patriarchy that I wanted to set for my beautifully evolved children- my 16 year old daughter Arshi and my 9 year old son Hrehaan.

"I fought this terrible way of thinking tooth and nail throughout my marriage. The result- being outcast from my husband’s family, scare tactics to make me convert included taking me to court seeking divorce. I was devastated, felt betrayed and was emotionally drained, but my children and I held on."

Wajid Khan of the music composer duo, Sajid-Wajid, died in May 2020 suffering from cardiac arrest.

He had also tested positive for Novel Coronavirus.

After the revelation, Kamalrukh found support in Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, who is known for her stance in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Ranaut tweeted, "Parsis are the genuine minority in this nation, they did not come as invaders they came as seekers and gently requested for mother India’s love. Their small population have hugely contributed to the beauty- growth and economy of this nation."

She added, " She is my friends widow a parsi woman who is being harassed by her family for conversion. I want to ask @PMOIndia minority that don’t do sympathy seeking drama, beheadings, riots and conversions, how are we protecting them? Parsis shockingly decreasing numbers."

"Reveals India’s own character as a mother, child who does most drama unfairly gets most attention and advantages. And the one who is worthy, sensitive most caring and deserving ends up being a nanny to the one who keeps throwing fits.... we need to introspect." (sic)

"Love jihad" is a term used by the right-wing groups to refer to a marriage between Muslim men and Hindu women, which they consider as a trick to convert the women. 

The BJP-ruled states Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have proposed bringing a law to stop "love jihad".