Social media outrage leads to arrests in Muzaffarnagar religious conversion case

In a case that has sparked local concern and heated social media discussion , two men were arrested in Kasoli village late on Sunday for allegedly carrying out an unlawful religious conversion , police said on Monday. The accused, Sufiyan and Shadab , were taken into custody after a complaint was lodged by resident Suresh Pal Singh , who alleged that his relative, Prarthana , and her nephew, Raman , were coerced into changing their religion on April 5 under the promise of financial assistance, police said. The FIR was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) , including Section 196 for promoting enmity between different religious groups and Section 299 for acts intended to outrage religious feelings, along with Sections 3 and 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 , Circle Officer Ravi Shanker said.

The matter came to light after a social media post, reportedly showing Prarthana and Raman celebrating Eid, went viral, prompting public attention and community leaders to raise questions about the circumstances of their conversion. The incident has added to ongoing public debate in Uttar Pradesh around alleged cases of coercive religious conversion, often referred to in online discourse as ‘love jihad,’ where relationships are claimed to be used to influence religious change, a narrative that resonates deeply in the region’s socio‑religious context. Local sources also say a third person linked to the case is still at large and being sought by police .

Officials emphasized that the investigation is underway , with authorities reviewing evidence and witness statements before any further legal action is taken. The developing story has drawn voices from neighbours and community groups , calling for calm and fair investigation as police work to establish the facts.