A purported video from Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district, showing a couple being humiliated with garlands made of shoes, has gone viral on social media. Police said on Tuesday (April 21) that the incident was driven by a family land dispute, while rumours of religious conversion were found to be baseless.
The incident occurred in Garavgarhi village under the Mursan police station limits. According to officials, Balram, a fairground ride operator who has been living in Agra for nearly 35 years, had returned to his native village during Holi with his wife Rani and their 13-year-old son Lalit, and had been staying there since.
Family members alleged that Balram had stopped participating in traditional greetings and religious practices after returning, which led to tensions with his father Shivram and brother Tarachand. The dispute escalated into a scuffle, after which a village panchayat was convened.
Police say conversion rumours false, dispute rooted in ancestral property
During the panchayat, Balram was accused by his father and brother of converting to Christianity, and a social boycott was reportedly announced. When his wife intervened in his support, both were allegedly forced to wear garlands made of shoes and slippers. The video of the incident quickly spread online, triggering communal speculation.
Circle Officer (Sadabad) Amit Pathak said there is no evidence of any religious conversion and described the claims as rumours linked to an ongoing ancestral property dispute.
Balram has also denied converting to any other religion. Police said preventive action has been taken against his brother Tarachand, and further investigation is underway.
