World

Harry Potter star beaten up by brother over Hindu boyfriend

Afshan fled after father and brother assaulted and threatened to kill her.

Express December 22, 2010

LONDON: Afshan Azad, who stars in the Harry Potter movies, was beaten and threatened with death by her father and brother after she met a young Hindu man, the Manchester Crown Court was told on Monday.

Afshan, 22, plays Padma Patil, a witch and classmate of the boy wizard. The court heard that she had been so terrified by the violent confrontation that Afshan fled through her bedroom window after her father, Abul Azad (53) and brother Ashraf (28) called her a prostitute, assaulted and threatened to kill her.

The incident took place on May 21 after which Afshan, who is of Bangladeshi origin, reportedly fled to London after making a statement to the police. Later, however, she decided she did not want any action to be taken against her family and failed to turn up as a witness in court on Monday.

According to some reports this is because she feared that pursuing the case would put her in ‘genuine danger’. She reportedly also told police that her father wanted to force her into an arranged marriage. The judge heard that she refused to give evidence despite ‘expensive and time consuming efforts’ made by the prosecution service.

Both men had been charged with making threats to kill her and her brother was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. In the absence of a witness, the prosecution accepted a guilty plea from Afshan’s brother for assault and her father accepted to be bound over to keep the peace for 12 months. The brother is on bail awaiting sentencing.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2010.

COMMENTS (50)

Hassan Bajwa | 13 years ago | Reply I find it absolutely ludicrous that some of the comments to this article condemn UK legislation for not allowing the father and brother to threaten and beat her for wanting to marry a hindu. It is precisely this attitude that makes pakistanis/muslims persona non grata in these societies. If this family is so gung ho about their right to coerce their daughter then they had best move the heck out of any country where such use of force is a crime. neither they nor the muslim community in the UK has any right to criticize UK legislation for declaring their violent outburst a crime. In fact by demanding the right to "special treatment" these people are essentially creating their own "state within a state", in turn lending credence to the claims of the anti-immigration lobby that condemns the muslim community's complete unwillingness to submit to the laws of the land. That the father and brother have been charged is the only right thing to do. if they don't like it, they should simply emigrate to a nation more to their "taste".

kamaal | 13 years ago | Reply @Umrani..what about Mohsin Khan and Rina Rai??what about Imran Khan and Sheta white? is this OK in Islam??Pls enlighten us.

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jenni | 13 years ago | Reply This is why Islam is a dangerous religion. Her family is undoubtedly Muslim, as 90% of Bangladesh is comprised of Muslims, and it's against the law for a Muslim to marry a Hindu in most mid eastern countries. They will kill their own daughters for refusing arranged marriages, trying to marry outside their religion, denouncing their religion, being seen with an unrelated man in public or even for being unfortunate enough to be raped by a man. Female genital mutilation is highest in Muslim countries. These people hate women. Do I even need to bring up the fact they are forced to wear hijabs and burqas to cover their faces. Disgusting! I don't care how racist people think it is for people like me to point out religious atrocities of Islam because the guilty happen to be of Arab descent. It's not about criticizing race, it's about condemning a bad culture that chronically produces vile acts such as violence and abuse in the name of religion. I support no religion that is guilty of such acts, not even Christianity. This behavior should be tolerated in no part of the world, by any country, religion, race or gender.

Cyko | 13 years ago | Reply Well explained by Mehwish Khan !!!

some1 | 13 years ago | Reply A muslim woman can marry a non-muslim man as long as he reverts to Islam and allow to be circumcised

Umrani | 13 years ago | Reply yes man he wud also have been treated the same... Islam is against marrying the person of any other religion... dats it...

Bryan | 13 years ago | Reply Religion makes me sick.

kamal | 13 years ago | Reply My only question is if the girl would have been hindu and boy would have been muslim whether the boy would been subject to same treatment???hypocrasy at its worst..

Umrani | 13 years ago | Reply one should give the biggest priority to his/her religion on every other thing what so ever it is... whether so called love o any any kinda wish... though nobody iz perfect.. atleast we shud not go upto an extent that we may b kicked out of our religion.. here in this case, credit of her goin to such a step does to her parents... as won't have given her our religious knowledge... its not her fault guys.. she must not b knowing the values of her religion.. she just called so Muslim.. thats et..

R. Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Sad that after living abroad these Muslims are fixated in stone ages! If she wanted to marry a Hindu so what since lot of Hindu women marry non Hindu men. This mind set has to change!

Wahed | 13 years ago | Reply Inter-religion marriage is not uncommon even in Bangladesh.

Muslim Gujjar | 13 years ago | Reply Muslim boy Any from of magic is shirk and it takes a person out of Islam. Performing it , watching it or reading it is haram and can take the perfoming out of Islam.

A thinker | 13 years ago | Reply @Muslim+Boy LOL you are absolutely right :P

Muslim+Boy | 13 years ago | Reply Harry Poter is blasphemous, his magic wand does not exist in the quran or sunnah. It is haram. Or maybe just western progoganda to eliminate islam and teh guardians of islam.

roomi | 13 years ago | Reply There is a thing called "Human rights" , "Freedom". As an adult you can choose a partner of your choice.Its a Universal human right. Im a Pakistani and I recognise this and feel ashamed of some of the narrow minded views of people here. "There is no complusion in religion" also. Also this is a pretty normal scenario amidst Asian (Indian /Pakistani/Bangladeshi) households when their women choose an "outsider" . There are a number of horror stories of violence where the woman chooses a mate outside her "community".The south asian society as a whole is patriacal and very conservatove when it comes to women's right to choose her partner. People who have lived in Britain and Europe know about many such cases.

Pakistani57 | 13 years ago | Reply she is an adult not a child .. if she wants to marry against the teaching of Islam which she obviously knows then its her choice there is no compulsion in Islam she would be answerable for her deeds as would her father and brother for trying to kill her

sudhir | 13 years ago | Reply more than the news article, the readers comments give me real knowlege about muslims and their belief system.

Mussarat Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply It is surprising that so-called orthodox religious people remain silent if their muslim son marries marries a non-muslim but multi-millionaire girls. I fail to understand why cat goes through mouth of those "respectable" and orthodox muslim parents. Finally, everthing ends up in money. Height of Hyporisy. Mussarat

AnIndian | 13 years ago | Reply I am surprised, No one is complimenting her. She is very comely and attractive. :) South Asians, especially their jet-black hair is indeed heart-throbbing. :) :) Cheers to All South Asian Beauties! :) :) :)

AnIndian | 13 years ago | Reply Every human should have the right to practice their religion of choice and a life style of her/his choice, within the "ambit of human values and constitutional freedom". The trauma the migrants (especially, South Asian) put their children to suffer is Unacceptable. They choose to migrate and then "compensate their guilt" by forcing their children to "practice the culture of their lost-lands". Then, why the heck migrate? Sometimes, Journalism has come to be "Unholy in intention". The intent in publishing such an article is not always to highlight the incident, but sometimes to forward bad propaganda. Having said that, such an intention doesn't invalidate the seriousness of the issue. No Religion is criticized for "What it is", but for "How it is practiced"! It applies to ALL religions without exception. It would be in the best interests of the Human race to get rid of Fundamentalism in "ALL" Beliefs be it Christianity, Hindu, Islam or Atheism...

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply Islam is a religion of peace, in this case her brother is a misguided gentleman.

Angelos | 13 years ago | Reply Look at the hindus defending their lot...... As far as girl is concerned, his family should disown her, no need to threaten her or beat her. We have our religion and values, she dosnt want to accept it then fine, they should let her live her own life by her own ways and forget her. @Neraj and lot with that view point Dont talk about things you dont know.....

Neeraj, India | 13 years ago | Reply A muslim man can marry a non-mislim woman, but a muslim woman cannot marry a non-muslim man. So much for the gender eqality in Islam.

Zain | 13 years ago | Reply Why are you guys questioning whether she is in love with the Hindu man or not? Why are you suggesting it is mere infatuation? It is her life and it is her decision who she wants to be with. Not her father's, not her brother's. Maybe she does not share your so called values, so what? Her father might be upset about that, but that is his own failing and it is too late to change it now. I have seen Muslims in western countries whose kids are following their parent's culture, that is because they were raised well. Quit judging others through the prism of your own morality, and just because she is of Muslim origin does not mean she has to stick with it if she doesn't want to. I hope her dad/bro realize their huge, huge mistake and beg her for forgiveness. But sadly, I know that in Pakistan even the middle class people will tend to sympathize with the father/brother, rather than Afshan.

Mulla Toofhan | 13 years ago | Reply Afshan is old enough to decide what she finally wants in her life. As a parent myself My job is to advise and guide my child whenever needed Not live the child's Life. Why do some family take Law into their own hand and become violent with their own children. Afshan's life is her own and not her Parents. You can do only so much for your children and rest it up to them. @ Rizwan. What makes you think a Muslim man would be better than a Hindu.

Arfan | 13 years ago | Reply OMG! Why do we have to take all this nonsense? Did anyone actually read the article? The girl in question is of BANGLADESHI origin - NOT, repeat NOT Pakistani!!! They gave that up way back in 1971!! Whethr it's right or not - well the obvious answer is - it's not! And the fault lies with the parents, if you seek riches and forget who you are (which many Asian men do, but enforce 'their native' customs on females), then you will suffer the consequences.... Generally, and this goes for Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims of the Sub-Continent, men cannot tolerate a girl going with a guy of another faith!! Fir Hindus and Sikhs, the thought of going with a Muslim - OMG! And I supopse it's similar to for the Muslims; rejection by the community (and family), vilification etc etc etc. Answer? If you want to live in the West, then whether we like it or not, the local customs and ethics will encroach on ours - and I can say that from personal experience as Ilive here in the UK and I'm no arm-chair liberal finger pointing do-gooder!!

Dania | 13 years ago | Reply Wow.. after reading through the post, as well as the comments left, I was surprised by how almost everyone, except for a few handful, were of the opinion that SHE deserved this. Each and every day, news items like these are loaded with comments from fellow pakistani (men and women alike!) that continually destroy any hint of being educated or tolerant. Whether its a rape case, or a girl being beaten because she took on herself choosing a path of her life; we as a nation are simply brimming with intolerance and self-righteousness thought garbage... What I find the most amusing (and most annoying as well) is how people label things as 'our shining eastern culture' vs the yucky sick monsterous western culture (toba toba toba). Just goes to show how self inovlved and blind we have become as a nation. So, she was dating a hindu boy. Fine, it is HER life, HER choice. She dates a hindu boy, and it becomes customary for her father to kill her, her brother will be a lesser man if he doesn't beat her etc etc... All of a sudden, by some unproclaimed law, they have become the custodians of eastern culture, and unless they don't do something about it, they will loose thier worth in God's (?) eyes? Is that what they were thinking when they set out to get back at her? Or were they more concerned about what Chacha Khalid or Mamee Naseeba would think? Or was it more about their naak (nose) back home? Or wait, maybe it was to revive whatever little control they have as a man in their families (considering they gave up a lot of it when they moved to the UK). All of a sudden, its all about morality and social values, which begs the question as to how have they been living in such a liberated society as the UK for the past few decades...Did they themselves learned nothing? In a society where almost ever other person belongs to a different ethnicity, they learned nothing about tolerance and acceptance? Oh wait .. of cousre they didn't.. it would tarnish the 'shiny eastern culture' of karo kari, arranged forced marriages, wata sata, fuedal land systems, joint family imposements, blasphemy law violations, eve-teasing etc .. and we don't want THAT happening now do we??? (notice how interestingly, all these things have women being targeted in one way or another.. yeah, I love our shiny eastern culture) Also, considering how these two men are so loayl shiny eastern culture worshipeprs;does it imply that they didn't leave their houses during the summer, cuz of all the (toba toba toba but really hot sexy and good to look at) gori ladies? Oh wait, I am sure there is some justification to looking at them, afetr all, they are men, and no 'shining culture' back home depends on their antics and actions for its lusturous beauty (sarcasm intended)

Hassaan | 13 years ago | Reply @ Dear Rajat No offence but i was talking with a bigger perspective. i dont blame you or the people of India for whatever is happening with Pakistan but totally the faults lie with us....i would also like to second you on the judicial body of both the countries but still emphasize on the thought that the image of Pakistan is tarnished if you compare it with India. Thus the irony is that the Pakistani people are still asleep and we always choose leaders like......i think you get it.... Good Day

Amir Rashid | 13 years ago | Reply So Waqas Afridi has the right solution.. The fact that she is dating a Hindu is 'WRONG'. Whats the solution? Beat her and called her a prossy! Bravo! And we wonder why the Muslim world at large is going to the dogs. People like yourself would've fit in much better in the period known in Islamic history as 'Jahilia'. Read about it, I am sure you will those times far more agreeable than todays sick world. @Syed Nadir El Edroos - Exactly!

Tony+Singh | 13 years ago | Reply @El adroos Ignore Waqas, he is from Pluto. He does not know how earthlings behave.

sundar | 13 years ago | Reply A 22 year old girl doesn't have the freedom to choose her own partner. I don't care whether religion is a factor here or which country they belong to, the barbarian farther-brother duo should be made to face the law of the 'civilized' land.

Mahwish Khan | 13 years ago | Reply I guess what she did was right. If I was at her place I would have done the same thing. She is only having a hindu boyfriend cuz she probably was never taught about her religion. Why the father and brother are suddenly expecting her to act like a muslim when she was probably never given the right home atmosphere to have decency n respect towards her own religion. If she was given the right teaching from begining I guess she wouldn't be acting in ammovie right now. First the parents need to look on what they did wrong on their part for their daughter being like this. Many of us are going through this. Its not the matter about marriages between different religion. Its the parents teaching at home. They have to accept the fact that they live abroad thus they do need to give more attention to their growing kids. I hate these kind of father and brother who just suddenly become so muslim on one thing. This is not where Islam starts. Mr Abbas Khan: i think u dont know but a according to our religion muslim girl is not allowed to marry a non muslim man. Boyfriends and girlfriends dont exist in islam since these kind of relationships are prohibited. But its very common now a days, n if u dont have a bf or gf then thats consider abnormal....lolzz just wondering where we all are heading to HELL. MAY GOD GUIDE ALL OF US TO THE RIGHT PATH. specially the parents who have these kind of mentallity.

Rajat | 13 years ago | Reply @Hassan I don't get it, read the entire article again. (or have'nt you?). Also, on the other hand, if it were based on perspectives, then the reason why Pakistan is targeted and not "Bharat" or "Amreeka" or UK is because there are no laws in these 3 countries that condone such practices (blasphemy law anyone?). Even if such things happen there are judicial courts to uphold the rights of people. Governments are not criticised for what nonsense the people do, but for what nonsense (laws) they formulate. The recent example of the high court of Haryana overruling the khaps, who thought they can take the law into their own hands, is a testament to this fact.

Sikandar | 13 years ago | Reply funny we are Hippocrates ---- ' when one south Indian hindu girl loved & married our pakistani muslin whilst they were doing their internship, subsequently settled in pakistan ' all were happy. Now what is the problem, why the hysteria. If we are perfect then take the stone. please lets not be fanatics. Again all of those who migrate to other country when you want their money but cannot adopt to their rules, is this what Islam all about. Well no wonder world is amazed at Our way of following Islam. I would rather starve to death than migrate. Also its better not to follow religion by deceit and selfish motive

Hassaan | 13 years ago | Reply Dear Pakistanis Let us for a while see things from a different prospective... So...this is just a report in India and the western world exploting Muslim religion and thats it...No fingers raised by UN or so called NGOs on the so called great nation Bharat.....Nobody commented that this act of harassmant was done in India....the country has no repurcussions by it.....Suppose if it could happen in Pakistan...What would be the reaction of the foreign media and nations?????? Fruit for thought. Good Day

Rajat | 13 years ago | Reply What's the big problem huh? My mausi is married to a muslim. atleast my family is progressive enough to accept the groom, inter religion marriages atleast in the big cities of India is not shunned upon (barring few groups, who were shunned by pink chaddis), so what's wrong in London?. If there is any problem of her abandoning her faith, then for your information, hinduism is strictly against conversion, we only believe that one is born hindu. and no matter what the various offshoots say, the vedas never encourage conversion.

Aqib | 13 years ago | Reply What her brother and father did was absolutely unacceptable however the girl should realize her values as well at this age its usually not love but attraction which can go away as fast as it come! And marrying sum one is a big decision and many aspects are need to be considered ! So in my view she should go against her parents cuz they always no wats better for there kids and for parents threatning your kids can not be the solution however talking wid dem about this is the right way to go

Syed+Nadir+El-Edroos | 13 years ago | Reply @Waqas: She deserves this treatment? So if it was your sister you would be happy to beat her up and threaten her with death? So manly of you! Please dont reduce our "shining identity" to threatening girls! @Ethisham: Yes! Of course that must be the only reason! Seriously - who are any of us to pass judgement on what some else does. How would you feel if someone passed comments on your family, how your sister, cousin or daughter dressed or met!

Abbas Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Stop that hypocracy, whats wrong in it. If a muslim boy can fall in love with a hindu girl, then why cann't a muslim girl do the same. There are millions of inter faith marriages in India, England, North America, Carribeans and other countries. I hope, most of them would have fallen in love before marriage.

Waqas Afridi | 13 years ago | Reply Alas! i would declare this as a continuation of making life difficult for Muslims in so called great countries. I have no words to say for this girl because she might not be knowing the sensitivity of a girls dignity in Light of our religio...n but i we can at least protest against the rules and regulations of the western countries which they force to practice on us carrying a huge difference of religion thus ways of living and interactions between male and female. If this girl is in some relation with some Hindu or any relgon other than Islam.. than we must agree to the fact that this is WRONG and so as the Westren culture and Governments. I think she deserved this treatment from her loved ones (Parents / Family) and on the other hand UK Govt without considering our norms has charged the family and the brother is going to be sentenced soon. We have our shinning identity and Western Nations are strictly required to consider that their culture and norms are respected here.

Zak | 13 years ago | Reply Maybe she could summon a Patronus curse with her wand on her family and get it all sorted out :p

Tahir+Lateef | 13 years ago | Reply She has right to take her own decision. But as muslim she must know her values. Be positive dear Ehtisham

Sabir | 13 years ago | Reply Love before marriage works fine. The 'my foot' part comes after the illusion is over. Almost everyone experiences the 'my foot' whether it is before or after marriage love ;)

as | 13 years ago | Reply Love before marriage. my foot....... its nothing but an illusion.

abaabeel | 13 years ago | Reply Ehtisham's comments sound convincing

Ehtisham+Rizvi | 13 years ago | Reply Could very well be a publicity stunt, dont be surprised if she ends up signing lots of movies after this.

Aninda Chowdhury | 13 years ago | Reply This will make their love strong … but I suggest the couple should try to convince their parents and seek their blessings …. ishwar hamesha tum logo ka saath hoga !

Aninda Chowdhury | 13 years ago | Reply This will make their love strong ... but I suggest the couple should try to convince their parents and seek their blessings .... ishwar hamesha tum logo ka saath hoga !

Maria | 13 years ago | Reply Why do these people want to live abroad if they can't accept the inherent consequences of living there. If they wanted their daughter to marry a Bangladeshi, they should have stayed in Bangladesh. We all hear about the intermarriage going on between first and second generation Muslim immigrants so why should anyone be surprised. Just accept the obvious may happen if you move and settle abroad.

RizwanTKhan | 13 years ago | Reply Dating a Muslim would have been a much better option since she is a Muslim herself. But death threats is no option at all.

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