‘She Is Dead to Us’: Silchar Father Performs Pind Daan for Living Daughter after Converting to Islam

In a shocking incident, a father in Silchar performed the funeral rituals of his living daughter after learning that she had converted to Islam and married for a second time. The rituals, including Pind Daan, were performed at Panchanan Shiv Bari in Silchar on Friday (6 November), drawing attention across Cachar district.

The father, identified as Binay Sharma, a resident of Hailakandi district who has been living in a rented house in Malugram, Silchar, said he took the decision after learning that his daughter, Baishali Sharma, had converted to Islam and married a Muslim man from the Itkhola area of Silchar.

According to Binay Sharma, Baishali got married to a man with the surname Parikh in Rajasthan around 12 years ago. The couple has two children, a son and a daughter. He said the family initially maintained a cordial relationship, but differences later developed between the couple.

Recalling the events, the father alleged that Baishali returned to Silchar with her children and later refused to go back to her marital home. He claimed that her husband had even visited Silchar in an attempt to reconcile with her and offered to leave his property behind in Rajasthan and settle in Silchar with her, but the matter could not be resolved.

Binay further alleged that Baishali would sometimes leave her children at the family home without informing anyone and remain away for days. Around five to six years ago, he claimed, she left for Bengaluru without informing the family, leaving both children in their care. He said her communication with her parents also became limited after that.

The family reportedly learnt on Wednesday that Baishali had returned to Silchar and had converted to Islam before marrying a man from the Itkhola area. The news came as a shock to her family, following which Binay approached members of the Bajrang Dal.

On Friday, the father performed the funeral rituals in the presence of a priest at Panchanan Shiv Bari. A photograph of Baishali was adorned with a white garland and Pind Daan was performed as part of the religious ceremony.

Speaking to the media, Binay Sharma said he considered his daughter dead to him because of her decisions and claimed that the emotional distress had led him to perform the rituals. He also expressed hope that no other family would have to face a similar situation.

It is important to note that the claims regarding Baishali’s marital history, her decision to leave her children and her recent marriage are based on her father’s account. Her version of the events could not be independently established.