Wajid Khan’s Wife Kamalrukh Khan Alleges Her Husband’s Family Of Harassing Her To Convert To Islam: ‘Felt Betrayed And Devastated’

Kamalrukh Khan took to her unofficial Instagram account and revealed that she was in a courtship with the late music composer for more than 10 years before tying the knot.

Image courtesy - Kamalrukh Khan (@kamalrukhkhan/Instagram)

New Delhi: Bollywood music composer Wajid Khan from the famous Sajid-Wajid duo breathed his last on June 1, 2020 due to COVID-19 complications at a very early age of 42. The composer had multiple issues and was on ventilator during his last days. While his family and loved ones are still finding it difficult to come in terms with the loss, his wife, Kamalrukh Khan penned down a lengthy note giving a first-hand account of inter-caste marriage. Hema Malini And Dharmendra’s Daughter Ahana Deol Gives Birth To Twin Girls Kamalrukh Khan took to her unofficial Instagram account and revealed that she was in a courtship with the late music composer for more than 10 years before tying the knot. She also penned down the difficulties she faces in an inter-caste marriage. Her note read, “I am Parsi and he was Muslim. We were what you would call "college sweethearts". Eventually when we did get married, we married for love under the Special Marriages Act (an act that upholds the right to practice one's own religion post marriage). And this is why this current debate surrounding the anti conversion bill is so interesting for me. I want to share my ordeal and my experience in an inter caste marriage - that in this day and age, a woman can face such prejudice, suffering and discrimination in the name of religion is a complete shame...and an eye opener.” “My simple parsi upbringing was very democratic in its value system. Independence of thought was encouraged and healthy debates were the norm. Education on all levels was encouraged. However, post marriage, this same independence, education and democratic value system was the biggest problem for my husband's family. An educated, thinking, independent woman with an opinion was just not acceptable. And resisting the pressures of conversion was sacrilege. I have always respected, participated and celebrated all faiths. But my resistance to convert to Islam drastically widened the divide between me and my husband, making it toxic enough to destroy our relationship as husband and wife, and his ability to be a present father to our kids. My dignity and self respect did not permit me to bend backwards for him and his family, by converting to Islam”, she added. She further said, “Conversion was not a value system I believed in personally. It was also not the example of a deep set rotten patriarchy that I wanted to set for my beautifully evolved children- my 16 year old daughter Arshi and my 9 year old son Hrehaan. I fought this terrible way of thinking tooth and nail throughout my marriage. The result- being outcast from my husband's family, scare tactics to make me convert included taking me to court seeking divorce. I was devastated, felt betrayed and was emotionally drained, but my children and I held on.”

Speaking about Wajid Khan, Kamalrukh said, “Wajid was a super talented musician and composer who devoted his life to making melodies. My children and I miss him dearly and we wish he had dedicated more time to us as a family, devoid of religious prejudices, the way he did while creating his melodies. We never got to be a family due to his and his family's religious fanaticism. Today post his untimely death, the harassment from his family continues.” Kamalrukh Khan ended her note with, “All religions are the path to the divine. Live and let live should be the only religion we all practice.” ‘Bigg Boss 14’: Contestants From Previous Seasons Set To Enter The ‘BB14’ House Follow this space for more updates!