Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh: Controversy surrounds the Lakme Academy in Moradabad, where Rakshanda Khan, also known as Sapna before her conversion to Islam, serves as director. Accusations from Hindu girl students have put Khan in the spotlight, alleging that she manipulates their religious beliefs and practices. These students claim that Khan coerces them to befriend Muslim boys, openly denigrates Sanatan Dharma, and promotes marriages to Muslim men. Moreover, she is said to threaten their academic progress should they resist her directives, alongside enforcing a ban on Hindu symbols like sindoor and bindis, yet permits Islamic prayers on campus.

The situation escalated when these students presented their grievances to the Moradabad District Magistrate, Anuj Singh, accusing Khan of leading a conversion gang. This has prompted an official investigation into the troubling claims.

In a revealing statement, Khan reportedly boasts about her own religious transition and marital choice, saying, "There is no problem in marrying Muslim boys. I was also a Hindu earlier. I married a Muslim. Now I have left Hinduism and become a Muslim and am very happy in a Muslim family." This declaration has fueled the students' demands for the revocation of the academy’s registration and for disciplinary actions to be taken against Khan.

Adding to the tension, Bajrang Dal activists took to the streets outside the academy, located opposite Harthala police station on Kanth Road. Their protest featured road blockages and vociferous slogans, culminating in the burning of an effigy representing Sapna Singh alias Rakshanda Khan. The demonstration subsided only after Arpit Kapoor, CO Civil Lines, intervened, promising to take necessary actions. In the wake of these events, an FIR targeting Rakshanda Khan, her husband Shahnawaz, and another unidentified accomplice was registered at the Civil Lines police station, marking a significant turn in the ongoing conflict.

On July 22, academy students Tanya Chaudhary, Swati Pal, and another peer made serious accusations at the DM's office against Sapna alias Rakshanda Khan. They alleged that Khan has been actively pushing Hindu girls towards friendships with Muslim boys, with the ultimate goal of conversion and marriage within Islam. They highlighted that Khan strategically places Hindu girls with Muslim boys in group settings and actively promotes these interactions.

A Dainik Bhaskar report revealed further insights shared by the students with the DM, pointing out that the Lakme Academy on Kanth Road specializes in courses related to makeup, hair, and skin treatment. The student demographic is peculiarly composed of predominantly Muslim boys and mostly Hindu girls. According to the students, Khan has been fostering an environment that encourages close interactions between these groups, effectively running a campaign to promote such relationships.

This Wednesday saw a heightened response from Hindu organizations. They gathered outside the well-known makeup academy in Moradabad to voice their outrage over the director’s actions. The protesters, including Bajrang Dal members, expressed their dissent not just through slogans but also by reciting Hanuman Chalisa in public. The demonstration was marked by the burning of an effigy, symbolizing their condemnation of Khan’s alleged efforts to manipulate and convert Hindu girls under the guise of education and professional training.

Students from the Lakme Academy have brought forward troubling accusations against their director, Rakshanda Khan. They report that Khan has been pressuring them into discussions that tout the benefits of Islam, going so far as to suggest that marrying a Muslim would be advantageous. The students also claim that Khan actively discourages the display of traditional Hindu symbols such as bindis, sindoor, and mangalsutras, while simultaneously enforcing daily Islamic prayers at the academy.

Amid these allegations, there are also claims of deception involving the use of counterfeit products branded under the Lakme name. In response to these concerns, the students have called for the authorities to take decisive action by seizing the academy, filing a legal case, and arresting the director, Rakshanda Khan. Hindu organizations have drawn parallels between these events and the narrative of "The Kerala Story" film, which portrays the alleged brainwashing of Hindu girls into converting to Islam—a theme they believe resonates with the actions of Khan at the academy.

In a show of protest, Bajrang Dal officials, activists, and some students gathered outside the Lakme Academy in the Civil Lines area. Their demonstration included reciting Hanuman Chalisa and burning an effigy of Khan. They also submitted a memorandum to the authorities, demanding the immediate closure of the academy and the arrest of its director, emphasizing the urgency of their concerns about the influence and actions of Rakshanda Khan.

Rakshanda's Husband Threatens to Abduct Students

Rakshanda Khan, serving as the director of Lakme Academy in Moradabad, originates from Saket Nagar, Kanpur. Born into a Hindu family under the name Sapna, she is the youngest sibling among five sisters and one brother. Approximately 17 years ago, she entered into marriage with Shahnawaz Khan, a Muslim man, and converted to Islam following her marriage. Rakshanda frequently shares with her Hindu students her personal experience, asserting, "I was once Hindu but am now Muslim, living in a Muslim household, and there are no issues with marrying Muslim boys."

The students at the academy, however, report distressing experiences. They allege being forcibly mixed with Muslim boys as part of the academy's interaction policies. Matters took a severe turn when, after lodging a complaint with the District Magistrate about the enforced associations, they received threats from Rakshanda's husband, Shahnawaz. The threats were severe, including alarming statements of abduction and harm.

Adding to the coercive environment, Tanya Chaudhary, one of the students, revealed that despite the academy's initial assurance that meat consumption is strictly prohibited on its premises, Muslim boys regularly violate this rule by openly bringing and consuming meat. Another student, Swati Pal, reported that Rakshanda Khan derogatorily criticizes Hinduism and exerts pressure on Hindu girls who resist conforming to her expectations. This behavior has escalated tensions within the academy, leading to a highly charged and uncomfortable atmosphere for the students.

Students Protest Against Discrimination at Moradabad Academy

At Moradabad's Lakme Academy, students have taken a stand against what they describe as discriminatory practices by Academy Director Rakshanda Khan. The students highlight a troubling inconsistency: while Rakshanda had informed them at admission that non-vegetarian food was banned on the academy premises, she allegedly consumes it regularly. Students who have expressed discomfort with this practice report being told by Khan to refrain from wearing traditional Hindu symbols like mangalsutras, bindis, or sacred threads. In stark contrast, Muslim boys at the academy face no such restrictions and are allowed to offer their daily prayers unhindered.

The grievances extend beyond religious discrimination. The students entered the academy expecting to train with international quality products, only to find they were being taught with refilled containers falsely branded as Lakme products.

Amidst these complaints, a particular student's narrative stands out. Set to be married next month, she recounts an unsettling interaction with Khan, who upon learning about her upcoming wedding, suggested, "If you want to marry a Muslim, tell me, I will support you and convince your family." This conversation is part of what the students view as Khan’s broader attempt to sway them from their religious beliefs.

The allegations of indoctrination are not new, as this is not the first instance of complaints against Khan. Recurring accusations have led to a robust protest by the students. Tanya, a student in a six-month course, voiced her frustration, noting that with five months already gone by, their experience has been marred by undue influence regarding religious choices. "Rakshanda Khan was originally Hindu and converted to Islam before marrying a Muslim," she explained, emphasizing the unwanted religious discourse they were subjected to. Tanya confirmed that a formal complaint has been lodged with the administration, culminating in the current protest. Her resolute stance is clear: "The academy should be shut down," as she recounts multiple instances of being prevented from wearing bindis and other Hindu symbols, reflecting the academy's restrictive and biased atmosphere.

Further Accusations Against Moradabad Academy Director

Students at Lakme Academy in Moradabad have raised further concerns about discriminatory practices under the direction of Rakshanda Khan. Swati, a student about to be married, reported that Khan pushed her to complete her course swiftly upon learning of her wedding. After paying her fees, when Swati shared that her marriage was arranged by her family, Khan proposed an alternative, stating, "If you wish to marry a Muslim, tell me, I will support you and convince your family." Khan also shared her personal experience, mentioning she was 19 when she married. She explained that although her family initially resisted, they eventually accepted her marriage, and she emphasized how well her husband treats her. Swati added that Khan often encouraged her to consider marrying a Muslim and assured her of her support.

Another student, Jatin, expressed his concerns regarding the academy's environment. He was discouraged from wearing a tilak and a sacred thread (kalava), and noted that despite student discomfort, Khan continued to consume non-vegetarian food daily at the academy. Jatin lamented his decision to enroll, stating, "Had I known the true nature of the academy, I would never have enrolled."

A former teacher at the academy, who completed her course and briefly worked there, observed a bias in Khan's administrative decisions. She reported that Khan consistently favored Muslim students over Hindu ones. Although initially hired, she was replaced by a Muslim girl just 15 days later, highlighting, she claimed, the evident preferential treatment.

Swati Pal, yet another student, pointed out that Khan has instituted policies specifically targeting Hindu students. "Rakshanda Khan has banned Hindu students from wearing bindis, tilaks, mangalsutras, and sindoor. Girls wearing these symbols are not allowed to enter the institute," she stated. In stark contrast, Muslim students and trainers freely perform their religious practices, including offering namaz within the academy premises.

This pattern of behavior was corroborated by media reports from a year ago when another student, Raj Rana, accused Khan of trying to convert him to Islam. He highlighted Khan’s questioning of religious practices, asking, "Why do so many Hindus visit Muslim shrines if Islam is not good, and why there is no uproar when a Muslim girl converts to Hinduism?" This ongoing controversy has deeply affected the academy's environment and its community.

Demand for Legal Action

Abhinav Bhatnagar, a coordinator for the Bajrang Dal, has pressed for stringent legal measures against Rakshanda Khan, the director of Lakme Academy in Moradabad. Bhatnagar is advocating for Khan's arrest and the immediate sealing of the academy premises. He also insists on a full refund of the fees paid by the students who have suffered under her administration. Highlighting the severity of the situation, Bhatnagar revealed that students have experienced significant mental harassment due to Khan's actions. He issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the local administration demanding that they file a legal case against Khan and place her in custody. Bhatnagar warned that if the authorities fail to respond promptly, the Bajrang Dal is prepared to intensify their protests to ensure that justice is served.