“They Said They’d File a Rape Case If I Didn’t Convert”: Hindu Man Speaks Out
Nidhi | Jul 22, 2025, 13:10 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
In a case that has stirred online outrage, a Hindu man from Karnataka has alleged that his Muslim wife and her family forced him to convert to Islam. He claims he was threatened with a false rape case, harassed into attending religious gatherings, and monitored while praying. Though the couple married under the Special Marriage Act, the second wedding — conducted as per Islamic customs — allegedly turned coercive. The viral video has sparked reactions from Hindu organizations, though no formal complaint has been filed yet, and police are investigating the matter cautiously.
It began like most love stories — with hope.
But what followed was a series of events that left a young man questioning everything he believed in - including his faith, identity, and freedom.
Vishal Gokavi, a Hindu man from Karnataka’s Gadag district, has alleged that his Muslim wife, Tehsin Hosamani, and her family pressured him into converting to Islam: not through persuasion, but through fear, emotional blackmail, and constant mental pressure.
Their relationship, once private, is now at the center of a growing controversy. 
Vishal and Tehsin had been in a relationship for three years. When her family found out, things escalated quickly. According to Vishal, Tehsin began issuing threats.
“She told me, ‘If you don’t marry me, I’ll kill myself - I’ll jump in front of a train, drink poison, roll on the ground,’” Vishal claimed in a public video.
Fearing for her safety and uncertain about what to do, Vishal agreed. On November 26, 2024, the couple registered their marriage under the Special Marriage Act: a civil, religion-neutral process. 
Five months later, on April 25, 2025, Vishal says he was pushed into a second wedding - this time, according to Islamic customs.
“That’s when the pressure to convert began,” he said.
Vishal claims that this second ceremony, conducted with members of the Jamaat in attendance, effectively changed his religion — and it wasn’t voluntary. He alleges that Tehsin’s family began demanding he attend religious gatherings, offer namaz (Islamic prayers), and provide photo proof of it. According to Vishal, it wasn’t just emotional pressure. He says Tehsin’s mother, Begum Banu, and uncle, Ibrahim Saab Dawal Khan, instructed her to “convert him completely.”
He was allegedly told that if he refused, a false rape case would be filed against him - a threat that he claims was repeated by multiple members of the community.
“I was constantly asked, ‘Did you pray today?’”
“Her uncle kept a watch on me. I had to send photos while performing namaz. It became mental torture,” Vishal said.
He also stated that he was urged to abandon his identity as a member of the Korama community and embrace Islam entirely. 
The situation exploded on social media after a video of the Islamic wedding ceremony went viral. Several Hindu organizations reacted strongly, calling the incident a case of “Love Jihad” and demanding legal action.
In response, Gadag Superintendent of Police, Rohan Jagadish, clarified the facts so far:
Vishal’s video testimony has ignited a larger conversation — about love, faith, freedom, and fear. Was this a case of forced conversion, or the fallout of a broken interfaith relationship? That remains for investigators to decide — but only if a formal complaint is filed.
For now, what we have are the words of a man who says he was pushed beyond his limits.
“I was in love. I thought we would build a life together. But I was made to choose between my identity and my freedom,” Vishal said.
As the debate unfolds, one thing is clear — stories like these aren’t just legal or religious battles. They’re deeply personal, often painful, and always complicated.
But what followed was a series of events that left a young man questioning everything he believed in - including his faith, identity, and freedom.
Vishal Gokavi, a Hindu man from Karnataka’s Gadag district, has alleged that his Muslim wife, Tehsin Hosamani, and her family pressured him into converting to Islam: not through persuasion, but through fear, emotional blackmail, and constant mental pressure.
Their relationship, once private, is now at the center of a growing controversy.
How It Started
Marriage
( Image credit : Freepik )
“She told me, ‘If you don’t marry me, I’ll kill myself - I’ll jump in front of a train, drink poison, roll on the ground,’” Vishal claimed in a public video.
Fearing for her safety and uncertain about what to do, Vishal agreed. On November 26, 2024, the couple registered their marriage under the Special Marriage Act: a civil, religion-neutral process.
But That Wasn’t the End
Interfaith
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
“That’s when the pressure to convert began,” he said.
Vishal claims that this second ceremony, conducted with members of the Jamaat in attendance, effectively changed his religion — and it wasn’t voluntary. He alleges that Tehsin’s family began demanding he attend religious gatherings, offer namaz (Islamic prayers), and provide photo proof of it.
The Pressure Grew
He was allegedly told that if he refused, a false rape case would be filed against him - a threat that he claims was repeated by multiple members of the community.
“I was constantly asked, ‘Did you pray today?’”
“Her uncle kept a watch on me. I had to send photos while performing namaz. It became mental torture,” Vishal said.
He also stated that he was urged to abandon his identity as a member of the Korama community and embrace Islam entirely.
Police Say No Complaint Yet
Karnataka_ Man alleges forceful religious conversion by wife, in-laws; police say no formal complaint filed yet.
( Image credit : ANI )
In response, Gadag Superintendent of Police, Rohan Jagadish, clarified the facts so far:
- The couple did legally marry in November 2024.
- A second, religious ceremony was held in April 2025.
- On May 23, 2025, Vishal was called to the Betageri police station, where he submitted a written and video statement saying he had no complaint.
- As of now, no formal complaint has been lodged. The police have said they are open to investigating if a complaint is submitted.
Where Things Stand
For now, what we have are the words of a man who says he was pushed beyond his limits.
“I was in love. I thought we would build a life together. But I was made to choose between my identity and my freedom,” Vishal said.
As the debate unfolds, one thing is clear — stories like these aren’t just legal or religious battles. They’re deeply personal, often painful, and always complicated.