I have been a BJP sympathizer for long, says Hadiya's father

Thiruvananthapuram: K.M. Ashokan, father of his converted daughter Hadiya, is a bit surprised over media attention on him after he officially took BJP membership.

Speaking to IANS over phone from Vaikom where he lives, he said he fails to understand why he is back in the limelight.

"I have been a BJP sympathizer for over four years now. Last Sunday I was officially inducted into the party and given the party membership card. I do not know what is news in this," said Ashokan.

Hadiya, formerly known as Akhila, converted to Islam in January 2016 and later she married Shefin Jahan, a Muslim.

Ashokan approached the Kerala High Court saying this was a case of "love jihad." In 2017, the high court annulled the marriage.

But in March this year, the Supreme Court ruled that Hadiya can live with her husband, but her first priority was to complete her studies. She was allowed to go with her husband.

"My daughter has got two more months to finish her residency in homoeopathy which she is doing in Salem. We do speak over phone. To the best of my knowledge, I don't think she knows about the current media attention on me because of my BJP links," said Ashokan.

When asked if he is going to be an active party worker, he said, "I don't think so, but whenever I get time, I will take part in party functions and meetings," said Ashokan.