Monalisa and Muslim husband seek Kerala Police protection again

Thiruvananthapuram: A young inter-state couple who married in Kerala after fleeing alleged family opposition has sought urgent police protection, saying they are facing serious death threats.

Monalisa Bhosle, a native of Indore, and her husband, Farman Khan from Maharashtra, approached authorities in Thiruvananthapuram after reportedly being threatened by her family. Monalisa, who gained public attention during the Kumbh Mela, had earlier filed a complaint at the Thampanoor police station alleging that her father was attempting to forcibly take her back home.

The couple, who met through Facebook and were in a relationship for over a year, left their home states after their families opposed the union and arranged another marriage for Monalisa. They later married at the Arumanoor Nainar temple near Poovar.

In a video shared on social media, Monalisa appealed to the Kerala Chief Minister, police authorities, and the media for protection. She said they have formally submitted letters and emails seeking security, alleging that threats against them include murder and physical harm.

Earlier, the couple had rejected Hindutva group VHP’s claims that their marriage was out of ‘love jihad’ and that Monalisa is underage. They presented documents, including her Aadhaar card and birth certificate, to debunk the underage claims.

The couple stated they chose Kerala believing it would offer them safety compared to other states. Authorities are yet to publicly respond to their latest plea, even as concerns over their safety continue to grow.

The controversy began after the VHP filed a complaint with the state Director General of Police alleging that Monalisa is still a minor. In the complaint, VHP state general secretary Anil Vilayil claimed that Monalisa celebrated her 16th birthday on January 21, 2025, and that videos of the celebration were available on social media. He also said that her mother had confirmed the same when contacted.