Bigg Boss 13 runner-up Asim Riaz has responded to allegations made by his former girlfriend Himanshi Khurana about religious conversion. Asim addressed the claims through a social media post, strongly denying that he ever pressured anyone to change their religion.
Himanshi had recently spoken about her past relationship with Asim during a podcast with Paras Chhabra. She claimed that she had once come close to converting to Islam because of pressure she experienced during their relationship.
Responding to the claims, Asim said he had never asked anyone to change their religion and alleged that the sensitive issue was being used to create hatred against him.
Asim Riaz and his ex-girlfriend Himanshi Khurana.
Asim clarifies his stand in Instagram post
Asim shared a lengthy note on Instagram on Sunday. Although he did not mention Himanshi by name, his post appeared to address the claims made by her.
He said that private matters were being brought into the public domain to create controversy.
Asim wrote, “I never asked anyone to change their religion. Not even once. Rather, I was the one who pushed you towards fitness. Everyone knows how you looked before meeting me.”
‘Don’t use religion as a weapon for publicity’
Asim went on to say that religion is an extremely sensitive subject and should not be used as a tool for publicity.
Without directly naming Himanshi, he alleged that bringing up personal matters to turn people against him was immature and an attempt to gain attention.
He said using religion in such a manner showed how far someone could go to seek publicity.
Himanshi claimed she was close to converting to Islam
Earlier, during a conversation on Paras Chhabra’s podcast, Himanshi spoke about the difficult period she experienced during her relationship with Asim.
She claimed that she had once come very close to converting to Islam because of pressure from Asim. According to her, there were disagreements over her religious practices and the way she worshipped.
Himanshi said the emotional pressure became so intense that, at one point, she felt as though it might be the last day of her life.
She also said that before changing her religion, she wanted to undertake the Char Dham pilgrimage.
Himanshi said religious practices became a point of conflict
According to Himanshi, her partner had objected to some of her religious practices during their relationship.
She claimed that she was told that certain forms of worship would no longer be acceptable. She also alleged that pressure came from the other family and its religious beliefs.
Himanshi said the situation gradually became so overwhelming that she seriously considered converting to Islam.
She later realised that changing her religion under such circumstances would not be the right decision.
‘I thought I might not be able to meet them again’
While discussing the most difficult phase of the relationship, Himanshi said she had become so emotionally invested that she was even prepared to change her religion.
She recalled thinking that she should complete the Char Dham pilgrimage before doing so.
According to Himanshi, she feared that after changing her religion, she might not be able to reconnect with her earlier religious beliefs or the people associated with them. She therefore wanted to undertake the pilgrimage one last time.
Himanshi claimed that at one point, she was very close to converting to Islam under Asim’s pressure.
Asim and Himanshi met on ‘Bigg Boss 13’
Asim and Himanshi first met on Bigg Boss 13. Their growing closeness on the reality show became one of the season’s most-discussed relationships.
After leaving the show, the two continued their relationship for several years. Their fans even gave them the nickname ‘Asimanshi’.
However, their relationship eventually came to an end.
In December 2023, the couple publicly announced their separation. At the time, both referred to differences related to religion and their respective beliefs.
Himanshi and Asim were in a relationship for 4 years.
Religion was also mentioned during their 2023 breakup
The issue of religion had previously surfaced when Asim and Himanshi announced their split.
Himanshi had shared screenshots of private conversations with Asim on social media. According to reports, their messages referred to differences in religion and religious beliefs as one of the reasons behind their separation.
Himanshi later said she had initially mentioned religion in her post but removed that reference because she did not want Asim to be targeted because of it.
The former couple had been together for around four years.
Himanshi says no one should be pressured to change religion
In her recent conversation, Himanshi said that pressuring someone to change their religion within a relationship is not right.
She maintained that everyone should have the freedom to follow their own religious identity and beliefs.
She also spoke about the emotional pressure she experienced during that period and said that she eventually understood that changing her religion was not the right decision for her.
Asim and Himanshi’s old relationship is back in focus
Asim and Himanshi publicly announced their breakup in 2023, but her recent comments have once again brought their relationship and the reasons behind their separation into the spotlight.
Asim has now strongly rejected the claim that he ever asked anyone to change their religion and has criticised the use of religion in what he described as an attempt to create hatred and gain publicity.
The issue has also sparked discussion on social media, with users reacting to both Himanshi’s claims and Asim’s response.
