Mangaluru: A 22-year-old woman from Betaguli in Kumta taluk of Uttara Kannada district has reportedly married a 40-year-old religious teacher from Mangaluru, leaving her parents and relatives distressed. The matter came to the attention of the Konaje police after her family approached them following her disappearance from home.
According to reports, the woman, daughter of Dawood Qasim, had been attending a local madrasa for religious education. Ashraf Saadi, 40, a resident of Asaigoli in Mangaluru, had reportedly been working as a religious teacher at the madrasa for several years.
The woman’s family has alleged that Ashraf developed a relationship with her over the past three years while teaching her religious subjects. They have further alleged that he concealed his existing marriage and the fact that he has children.
The couple reportedly entered into a nikah and subsequently registered their marriage at a registrar’s office. Ashraf is said to have brought the woman to his residence in Asaigoli.
Family alleges relationship developed at madrasa
The woman’s parents have raised concerns about the circumstances in which the relationship developed. According to their allegations, Ashraf was in a position of trust as a religious teacher at the madrasa where their daughter received instruction.
They claim that the relationship continued for around three years and that the woman was not aware, or had not been informed, that Ashraf was already married and had children.
The family has expressed anger over the alleged concealment of his marital status and the circumstances surrounding the marriage. However, these claims are allegations made by the woman’s relatives and have not been independently established.
The couple’s reported marriage has brought the family to Mangaluru from Betaguli in Kumta taluk, where they sought police intervention to locate their daughter and understand the circumstances of her departure.
Parents approach Konaje police
After discovering that their daughter was missing, her parents and relatives travelled to Mangaluru and approached the Konaje police.
Following the complaint, the police reportedly summoned Ashraf and the woman to the station for an inquiry. The family members were also present and attempted to persuade the woman to return home.
Her parents, brother and other relatives made emotional appeals, asking her to reconsider her decision and accompany them back to Betaguli. Despite their requests, the woman reportedly declined to return with them.
The police inquiry brought the couple and the woman’s family together at the station, where the circumstances of her departure and her decision to stay with Ashraf were discussed.
Woman says she left home voluntarily
During the inquiry, the woman reportedly told the police that she had left her home of her own free will and wanted to continue living with Ashraf.
She maintained her decision despite repeated appeals from her parents and other relatives. The family was reportedly inconsolable when she left the police station with Ashraf.
Her decision has left her parents deeply distressed, particularly in view of their allegations about the relationship and Ashraf’s existing marriage.
The woman’s reported statement to the police that she had left voluntarily is an important aspect of the incident. At the same time, her family’s allegations about the relationship, the alleged concealment of his marital status and the circumstances in which it developed remain matters that should be distinguished from the account attributed to the woman.
Family demands community action
Expressing anger over the incident, the woman’s parents alleged that Ashraf had misused his position as a religious teacher to develop a relationship with their daughter.
They have called upon members of the Muslim community to take action against him and have demanded that he be socially boycotted.
The incident has caused considerable distress within the woman’s family, who had travelled from Uttara Kannada to Mangaluru hoping to bring her home. Their appeals, however, did not change her reported decision to remain with Ashraf.
The matter has drawn attention to the conflicting accounts of the family and the woman. While her relatives have questioned the circumstances surrounding the relationship and marriage, she has reportedly told the police that her decision to leave home was voluntary.