A Hindu woman reportedly converted to Islam to marry the son of Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari.

Several Hindi, English and Urdu news dailies have claimed that Shahi Imam's son Shaban Bukhari, who happens to be the deputy Imam of the Jama Masjid in Delhi, is all set to marry a Hindu woman.

There is no law to stop two mature consenting adults from marrying each other irrespective of their religions. However, the news made headlines across the country given the positions held by Shaban and his father.

It is reported that Shaban and the woman have been in a relationship for a long time now. Though initially the Imam was against the marriage, he finally gave in, after the woman agreed to embrace Islam.

According to The New Indian Express, the girl hails from Ghaziabad and has been studying Islam for some time now. The DNA reported that the wedding is expected to take place in November. 

The office of Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Delhi, however, refuted the claims as an attempt to defame Syed Ahmed Bukhari and his family, according to a report published in Ummid.

Amanullah, the office in-charge of the Jama Masjid Delhi told Ummid that a "Muslim leader" part of the Akhilesh Yadav government is spreading the lies to gain mileage ahead of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat elections.

"Shaban Bukhari is engaged with a practicing Muslim girl belonging to a religious family. The girl is a student of Islamic studies and is also memorising the Holy Quran," he said.

Shaban Bukhari was appointed as the Naib Imam (deputy Imam) of the 17th century mosque in Old Delhi on 22 November, 2014.

Twitter reactions:

Navadeep Chalasani ‏@Navadeep_ 

WHO THE HELL is Shaban Bukhari !!!!!!!
The media is giving such a publicity for him as if marrying a Hindu girl...

Pramod Kumar Singh ‏@SinghPramod2784

@Rohinisgh @NewIndianXpress Shaban Bukhari* let him do so. The girl marrying him is a mature girl. She knows it well who to marry?

YusufJameelیوسف جمیل ‏@jameelyusuf 

Shaban Bukhari, son of Delhi Shahi Masjid Imam, marrying a Hindu girl. Let it be a personal matter and treated as such.

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