After the arrest of Maulana Hidayatullah in a religious conversion case in the Kanihar area of Prayagraj, a tense silence has engulfed the entire neighborhood. People are so frightened that they are not even letting their children step outside. While locals knew he was a Maulana, they are shocked to learn about his involvement in religious conversions. A sense of fear has now taken over. Residents are saying, “We have a house, but where do we go now?” The arrival of police forces and the major revelations have created a scary atmosphere. Now, there is uncertainty and anxiety—anything could happen at any time.
The Incident in Jhunsi’s Kanihar Locality
The incident took place in Kanihar, under Jhunsi. On Sunday (12 October), when the police reached the accused’s house, panic spread among the locals. No one dared to speak on camera. An elderly man shared that Hidayatullah came to Prayagraj in 1984. He bought a 50-square-yard plot and built a house. Initially, he lived quietly and remained isolated. Later, he began teaching Urdu at BD Yadav College. Eventually, he started conducting marriages (Nikah). However, his involvement in religious conversions is shocking.
College Principal: ‘His Arrest is Surprising’
College Principal JP Yadav said that Hidayatullah had been teaching part-time for the last five months. He taught students Urdu and Hindi. His behavior was normal. At one point, he left the college and started giving tuition from home but had recently resumed coming to the college again. His arrest, he said, is surprising.
Fake Nikah Certificates and Evidence of a Network
Police revealed that Hidayatullah changed the name of a Hindu youth, Rambihari, to Taj Mohammad and got him married to Salma from Raebareli. Fake nikah certificates, stamps, and booklets were recovered from his home. The booklet contained records of 10-11 such marriages. Some individuals involved were from other districts like Basti and Raebareli, raising suspicions of a broader network.
Hidayatullah Himself a Convert, From Dalit Hindu Background
Investigations found that Hidayatullah was originally a Hindu and converted to Islam about 25 years ago. He belongs to the Dalit community and is originally from Basti. He is married and has three daughters.
Lawyer’s Complaint Led to the Case Being Exposed
The case came to light following a complaint from a lawyer in Civil Lines. He stated that Maulana was luring Hindu youths, converting them, and then arranging marriages. Rambihari from Saraimuniyat was renamed Taj Mohammad. He is reportedly frightened and not speaking to anyone.
Police Investigation Ongoing on Multiple Fronts
ACP Vimal Kishore Mishra said that crucial leads have been found during interrogation. Investigations are ongoing into his network, financial dealings, mobile data, bank transactions, and the list of marriages he conducted.
Locals are in disbelief. No one suspected that he was involved in something this big. A neighbor commented, “We only knew he taught Urdu.”
Unanswered Questions: Was It a Lone Act or a Larger Conspiracy?
Now, the biggest question is -what was his true motive? Was this an isolated incident or part of an organized conspiracy? Police are currently probing this angle.
