Image: intoday
Hadiya or Akhila Ashokan told the Supreme Court on Monday that she wants her freedom. “I want my freedom,” she said the court in the Kerala ‘love jihad’ case.
The SC in its October 30 order directed Hadiya’s father to present her in the court to ascertain her opinion on her marriage to a Muslim man, Shafin Jahan. The court will continue the hearing on Tuesday.
When SC asked her if she wants to continue studies on state expenditure she said, “I want to (continue my studies) but not on state’s expense when my husband can take care of me”. “I should be considered a human being. I want to be a good citizen,” she told the Supreme Court.
Hadiya has been in her parents’ custody for around six months against her will. Recently, she told media that she converted to Islam of her own free will and wants to live with her husband.
The case grabbed attention after Akhila Ashokan aka Hadiya, a homoeopathy doctor converted to Islam. She married a Muslim youth, Shefin Jahan from Kollam.
Displeased with the marriage, girl’s father approached Kerala high court claiming that his daughter was indoctrinated and forcibly converted. Her father also said that she would be sent to Syria like 21 missing persons who believed to have joined the Islamic State.
In May, the HC annulled their marriage but, in August the Supreme Court refused to stay the HC order and told NIA to probe situation that led to their wedding.
Earlier, the Supreme Court while hearing case had said that a father can’t dictate the personal life of his 24-year-old daughter. The Apex court also questioned how the Kerala HC had annulled the marriage of Akhila Ashokan (Hadiya) and Jahan under Article 226.
Shafeen Jahan hitched Akhila Ashokan in December 2016 after the woman converted to Islam.
Earlier in August, the NIA began to probe into the case after the top court’s orders. The SC said that after getting inputs from NIA and Kerala police, it would talk to Akhila to find out her views.