Girls convert to Islam, seek court protection

CHENNAI: Four Hindu girls from Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu who converted to Islam have approached the Madras high court for protection.

The girls, who are working at a clinic in the Muslim-dominated Chakrapalli area, say growing up among Muslims got them interested in Islam. But when they converted, all hell broke loose in their community.
Opposition from their family and other community members forced the four to flee to Chennai. But apprehending communal tension if they return back home, the girls have sought the high court’s intervention.

Of the four, three are sisters from Ayyampettai town.  “There is no inducement or coercion from anyone,” says one of the girls, Shamila.

“The girls are majors and it is their constitutional right to choose their faith and religion,” said their lawyer A Sirajuddin.