Siddharthnagar (UP) : Maulana Shabbir Ahmad, a respected Islamic scholar and manager of Alfarooq Inter College in Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested under the state’s controversial anti-conversion law, sparking widespread outrage among civil society and political leaders, as per a report by the Reddit.
The arrest, based on a four-year-old job dispute from 2020, has drawn sharp criticism from Bhim Army chief and Member of Parliament Chandra Shekhar Azad. Calling the incident a “chintajnak misaal” (worrying precedent), Azad alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and orchestrated by BJP leaders to target a figure known for promoting religious education and communal harmony.
Taking to social media platform X, Azad questioned the timing of the FIR and the legitimacy of the complaint. “We ask Chief Minister @myogiadityanath ji: if the issue dates back to 2020, why was no complaint lodged until 2025? Is this a matter of faith or a personal vendetta disguised as a legal charge?” he wrote, accusing the administration of misusing the law to harass minorities.
The case revolves around a complaint filed by Akhand Pratap Singh, who had applied for a teaching job at Alfarooq Inter College in 2020 but was not selected. Four years later, Singh has now alleged that Maulana Shabbir forced him to convert to Islam—an accusation that has raised eyebrows due to the absence of new evidence.
Established as a symbol of interfaith understanding, Alfarooq Inter College, located under the Itwa police jurisdiction, has long offered Islamic education while promoting broader social values. Teachers and staff at the institution have strongly defended Maulana Shabbir, calling the allegations false and politically charged.
“I’ve been teaching here since 1997. Maulana Shabbir Ahmad has always supported us like family. These allegations are baseless,” said Rakesh Chandra Srivastava, a senior teacher at the college.
The case has been filed under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020—a law that has faced significant backlash for being disproportionately used against minorities. Since its implementation, activists have raised concerns that the law is often invoked without substantial evidence, and in cases driven by political motives.
Critics have also pointed to the UP Police’s record of biased investigations, especially in politically sensitive or caste-related cases. Human rights groups and legal experts have demanded a more transparent judicial process.
Azad has called for a stay on the arrest and demanded a reinvestigation by the Deputy Inspector General of Basti zone. “The misuse of law to frame innocent people must stop. We demand @UPGovt and @digbasti ensure a fair and fresh probe,” he said in a public statement.
He also urged the public to remain calm and uphold constitutional values. “Let us not fall prey to rumors or communal hatred. Justice and truth must prevail. We must protect social harmony and stand united,” Azad appealed.
The arrest has added to the growing list of controversial actions taken under the anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh, further fueling debates on its selective application and the shrinking space for dissent and religious freedom in the state.
