What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Hindu Voice Team: A 26-year-old Hindu woman from Indurkani, Pirojpur district is staging a hunger strike for the ninth day in front of her fiancé’s house, demanding her Muslim fiance marry her — after he converted her to Islam and later fled abroad.
According to local sources in Bali Para Union Ward No. 1, Char-Saudkhali Ashrayan Project area, the woman, identified as Sanchita Mondal, is originally from Nandowhan village, Narayan Mondal’s daughter. Two years ago, she initiated an online romance via Facebook with 17-year-old Ali Howladar, son of Kabir Howladar of Char-Saudkhali. After two months of their relationship, Ali purportedly assured Sanchita of marriage; in response, Sanchita converted from Hinduism to Islam in court, trusting his promise.
Sanchita alleges that Ali took Tk 100,000 from her under the pretext of marriage, and that she had entered into a physical relationship with him as well. Subsequently, she says, Ali failed to convince his family of the marriage, declined to proceed, and recently left for India — cutting off all contact.
Left with no other recourse, on the afternoon of November 1, Sanchita went to Ali’s house and began her hunger strike until her demand for marriage is fulfilled. The incident attracted a crowd and caused a stir in the locality.
“I work with an NGO,” Sanchita told reporters. “We met on Facebook, developed a relationship. He promised marriage and took money from me. I even sent him Tk 20,000 via bKash from India to bring him back. Now if he doesn’t marry me, there is no meaning left in my life. Either marriage or death — that is what I face now.”
Ali’s mother, Reshma Begum, told this newspaper, “My son is in India now. Contact cannot be made. If the allegations are true, we will examine the matter.”
Indurkani Police Station’s investigation officer, OC (Investigation) Mohammad Mostafa Jafar, said: “Police attended the scene after receiving the information. However, no written complaint has yet been received. Once a complaint is lodged, it will be investigated and legal action will follow.”
Background & significance:
The case raises serious concerns about forced or coerced religious conversion, financial exploitation in relationships, and failure of legal protections for women in vulnerable situations. Sanchita’s condition underscores the risks faced when one partner unilaterally abandons marital commitments after obtaining conversion or financial concessions. Her hunger strike — now in its ninth day — is a dramatic signal of desperation, which local law‐enforcement and social protection agencies appear yet to fully respond to.
What to watch:
Whether Sanchita files a formal complaint and if authorities register a case of fraud, conversion without consent, or forced marriage.
Whether Ali returns or is extradited, and if payments made by Sanchita can be traced and recovered.
If the broader local community or NGOs step in to support Sanchita, given the elements of religion, gender and economic vulnerability.
