Vidisha- A 20-year-old Hindu girl from Vidisha district has applied to convert to Islam, citing three years of personal religious practice and a quest for inner calm as her reasons. Asha Prajapati, a resident of Baruakhar village in Shamshabad tehsil, submitted the application to District Collector Anshul Gupta during a public hearing on Tuesday.

In her written request, Prajapati stated that her decision stems from "spiritual peace and study," not any external pressure or inducement. She has been reciting the Kalma- Islam's declaration of faith and performing Namaz prayers daily for the past three years, a practice she said began in childhood due to an innate interest in the faith. Orphaned after her mother's death in her early years and her father's passing about a year ago, Prajapati lives independently as a daily wage laborer. Her minor sister resides with their maternal grandfather.

Prajapati, who completed education up to Class 10, emphasized the voluntary nature of her choice during initial questioning. Authorities, acting under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, which requires verification to prevent coerced conversions, have referred the case to the Superintendent of Police's office.

SP Rohit Kashyap confirmed a joint investigation by police and the Women and Child Development Department. "We are checking to ensure she is not under any duress," Kashyap said. Counseling sessions began immediately at the One Stop Centre, lasting about two hours on Tuesday. A team visited her village on Wednesday to interview locals and relatives for background details.

District Program Officer Vinita Kanswa of the WCD department said further counseling is planned, with a final decision pending completion of the probe. No approval has been granted yet.

The case has drawn local attention amid ongoing debates on religious conversions in the state. As of now , investigations continue with no reports of foul play.

The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, regulates religious conversions by prohibiting them through force, fraud, allurement, coercion, or marriage. It requires individuals and religious priests to provide a 60-day advance declaration to the District Magistrate before a conversion can take place. The Act declares conversions through unlawful means and marriages performed with the intent of conversion to be void and punishable by imprisonment and fines.