In the Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh, the director of beauty and makeup institute Lakme Academy has been booked under relevant sections after two Hindu trainees accused her of coercing them to befriend Muslim youths and convert to Islam. On 22nd July, two Hindu girls Tanya Chaudhary and Swati Pal submitted a complaint to District Collector Anuj Singh against Lakme Academy director Rakshanda Khan.
The duo alleged that Sapna alias Rakshanda Khan used to encourage Hindu girls to befriend Muslim boys and do Nikah with them after converting to Islam. They also alleged that Rakshanda used to keep Hindu girls in groups with Muslim boys at the academy situated on Kanth Road. The duo said that Rakshanda Khan was originally a Hindu, however, converted to Islam before marrying a Muslim man named Shahnawaz Khan 17 years ago.
“Lakme Academy located on Kanth Road teaches makeup, hair and skin treatment. Many different courses are being run for this. Almost all the boys in the academy are Muslim and most of the girls are Hindu. They encourage Hindu girls to make friendship with these Muslim boys. Rakshanda Khan has launched a campaign for this.”
In their complaint, Tanya and Sawati alleged that Rakshanda used to tell Hindu girls at the makeup institute that she was a Hindu but married a Muslim man and there was no problem with that. “I was also a Hindu earlier, but now I am a Muslim. I am living in a Muslim’s house. There is no problem in marrying Muslim boys,” Khan allegedly said.
“At the time of admission, we were told that meat and fish are completely prohibited in the academy, but Muslim boys bring meat and fish here every day and eat in front of everyone,” Tanya Chaudhary said.
Meanwhile, Swati Pal said that accused Rakshanda Khan abuses the Hindu religion and that Hindu girls who do not obey her are harassed.
Furthermore, Pal claimed that accused Rakshanda Khan has banned Hindu students from wearing bindi, tika, sindoor on forehead and mangalsutra around the neck. If any married girl comes wearing a mangalsutra and sindoor, she does not allow her to enter the institute. On the other hand, Muslim students and Muslim trainers have the freedom to offer namaaz in the academy itself.”
The complainants alleged that Rakshanda Khan predominantly hired Muslim men and Hindu women as staff.
On the complaint of the three Hindu trainees two women Tanya and Swati and one man Jatin, Moradabad Police has booked Rakshanda Khan under Sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts to outrage religious feelings), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 318(1) (dishonest concealment of facts) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Civil Lines Police Station has launched an investigation into the matter.
श्रीमान जिलाधिकारी महोदय, के माध्यम सें प्राप्त एक शिकायत कांठ रोड पर लक्मे अकादमी की संचालिका द्वारा छात्राओ के साथ धर्म के आधार पर भेद¬-भाव किये जाने व अन्य शिकायत जिस संबंध में थाना सिविल लाईन्स पर अभियोग पंजीकृत किया गया है । पुलिस अधीक्षक नगर महोदय, की बाईटः- pic.twitter.com/bgGgbzi2aV
— MORADABAD POLICE (@moradabadpolice) July 24, 2024
Other than religious conversion attempts, the complainants claimed Khan committed fraud by substituting original high-quality items with inferior equivalents, resulting in skin concerns for trainees along with clients.
On 23rd July, Bajrang Dal activists protested outside the academy, the Lakme franchise. The Hindu activists burned an effigy of Rakshanda Khan and recited the Hanuman Chalisa outside the academy. Bajrang Dal activists have sought strict action against accused Rakshanda Khan and demanded that her institute be sealed. In addition, the police should ensure that the students receive a refund of their fees.
Notably, nearly a year ago, a Hindu student at the Lakme Academy in Moradabad named Raj Rana had accused Rakshanda of forcing him to convert to Islam. He alleged that instead of teaching the course, Rakshanda preaches Islam. “Rakshanda says that if Islam is not good, then why do so many Hindus visit tombs? Why is there not so much uproar when a Muslim girl converts and becomes a Hindu?” the student alleged.
