A man from Karnataka’s Gadag district has accused his wife of coercing him into religious conversion to Islam after marriage, claiming she changed his name and threatened him with false criminal charges. The case has sparked widespread attention as it has now been registered under the newly introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Relationship, Marriage, and Sudden Pressure to Convert
Vishal Kumar Gokavi, a resident of Gadag, Karnataka stated that he had been in a relationship with Tehseen Hosomani for nearly three years before the couple legally married in November 2024. What began as a consensual and peaceful union, however, allegedly turned troubling soon after.
Vishal claims that Tehseen began pressuring him to undergo a second marriage ceremony in accordance with Islamic customs. To maintain peace in their relationship, he agreed. On April 25, 2025, the couple held a nikah ceremony. But Vishal alleges that, during the ritual, an Islamic cleric converted him to Islam without his informed consent and even gave him a new name, none of which, he says, he had prior knowledge of.
A video of the ceremony, showing Vishal dressed in traditional Muslim attire and participating in the nikah, has gone viral on social media platforms, further fueling public discussion around the issue.
Threats and Coercion After the Nikah
The situation escalated further when Vishal’s family decided to organize a Hindu wedding ceremony on June 5 to honor their own customs. According to Vishal, Tehseen initially agreed to the plan but later withdrew under pressure from her family.
Vishal then alleged that Tehseen threatened him with a false rape accusation if he refused to formally convert to Islam. He also claimed that Tehseen and her mother, Begum Banu, repeatedly pressured him to perform Islamic prayers (namaz) and attend religious gatherings against his wishes.
FIR Lodged
Taking his allegations seriously, local police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) based on Vishal’s complaint. The case has been filed under:
Section 299 of the BNS, which pertains to actions intended to hurt the religious sentiments of a particular community.
Section 302 of the BNS, which protects individuals from acts that infringe upon their religious freedom and beliefs.
Police officials have confirmed that an investigation is underway, and further action will follow based on evidence and testimonies.
The case has drawn attention to issues surrounding forced religious conversions into Islam and interfaith marriages, especially under the lens of India’s new legal code. Community leaders and civil rights advocates are closely watching how the investigation unfolds, as it could set significant precedents under the BNS framework.
