Bijnor minor allegedly forced to convert in Kashmir's Kupwara; family files case
Synopsis
A minor from Bijnor, UP, was allegedly lured to Kupwara in Kashmir on a false job promise and forced to convert to Islam — his name reportedly changed from Vishal to Hamza. With a police case filed and BJP leaders calling it an organised racket, the incident is set to ignite a fresh political and communal flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
A minor boy from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh was allegedly taken to Kupwara, Kashmir on the pretext of employment and forcibly converted to Islam.
A case has been registered at Kupwara police station ; a detailed investigation is underway.
The family accuses a local youth named Wasim of luring the boy and orchestrating the alleged conversion.
The boy's name was reportedly changed from Vishal to Hamza , according to BJP leader Mausam Chaudhary .
BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi called it 'a new design of forced conversion' and demanded stern action.
The family has met the city Superintendent of Police and is demanding the boy's safe return.
A minor boy from Bijnor district in Uttar Pradesh was allegedly lured to Kupwara, Kashmir under the false promise of employment and reportedly forced to convert to Islam, according to his family. A case has been registered at the Kupwara police station, and investigators have launched a detailed probe into what the family describes as an organised conversion racket.
How the Case Came to Light
The boy's family first learned of the alleged conversion after a video surfaced on social media in which the minor reportedly admits to having embraced Islam. The footage, which spread rapidly, left his relatives in shock. They immediately approached local police, demanding swift intervention and the boy's safe return to Bijnor.
The family has accused a local youth named Wasim of orchestrating the plan — allegedly befriending the boy, taking him to Kupwara on the pretext of a job, and then subjecting him to what they describe as psychological pressure to convert. According to the family's account, the boy's identity has since been changed from Vishal to Hamza, a claim made by Mausam Chaudhary, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Bijnor.
What the Family Has Alleged
The boy's father, Krishna, told officials that his son is a minor who was deceived by false promises and subjected to sustained psychological pressure to undergo religious conversion. The family met the city Superintendent of Police and presented a detailed account of the alleged conspiracy, urging authorities to act swiftly and ensure the boy's return.
Given the boy's age, his family and neighbours maintain that any consent to conversion cannot be considered voluntary — a position that has found support among local community members who allege he was specifically targeted as a vulnerable youth.
Political Response
The case has already drawn sharp reactions from political quarters. BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi described the alleged incident as 'a new design of forced conversion in a democratic setup' and demanded stern action against all those found to be involved. The Bijnor BJP unit has also taken up the matter, with leaders calling on the administration to treat it as part of a broader pattern of organised rackets targeting impressionable youth.
The controversy is expected to intensify political debate, particularly given the sensitivities surrounding inter-community relations and the ongoing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Investigation and Next Steps
A case has been formally lodged at the Kupwara police station, and investigators are reportedly working to locate the accused and establish the full chain of events. Authorities have not yet made any arrests or issued an official statement on the progress of the probe. The family continues to press for the boy's immediate return and for those accused of orchestrating the alleged conversion to be held accountable.
Point of View
A social media video, and rapid political mobilisation before investigators have established the facts. The critical questions — whether the conversion was coerced, whether Wasim acted alone or as part of a network, and whether the boy is in any danger — remain unanswered, yet the political response has already outpaced the police probe. That sequencing matters: in similar past cases, premature political framing has complicated investigations and inflamed local tensions. Authorities in both Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir face pressure to act decisively while keeping the inquiry fact-driven rather than narrative-driven.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the minor boy from Bijnor in Kashmir?
A minor boy from Bijnor district in Uttar Pradesh was allegedly lured to Kupwara in Kashmir under the false promise of a job and reportedly forced to convert to Islam. His family says his name was changed from Vishal to Hamza, and a case has been filed at the Kupwara police station.
Who is accused in the Bijnor conversion case?
The boy's family has accused a local youth named Wasim of befriending the minor, taking him to Kashmir, and allegedly coercing him into religious conversion. Police are investigating whether he acted as part of a wider organised network.
Has anyone been arrested in connection with this case?
As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made. A case has been registered at the Kupwara police station and a detailed investigation is underway to trace the accused and examine the alleged conspiracy.
What action has the family taken?
The boy's family lodged a formal complaint with police and met the city Superintendent of Police to demand his safe return and strict action against the accused. They allege psychological pressure was used to force the conversion given the boy's minor status.
How has the BJP responded to the alleged forced conversion?
BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi condemned the incident, calling it 'a new design of forced conversion in a democratic setup,' and demanded stern action against all those involved. BJP leader Mausam Chaudhary also claimed the boy's identity had been changed from Vishal to Hamza.
