Hindu converts to Islam on Pakistani TV, video

A Hindu boy's conversion to Islam live on Pakistani television during a prime-time Ramazan show sparked criticism on behalf of religious minorities.

In just five minutes, the 20-year-old introduced as Sunil officially changed his religion under a cleric's guidance, on a show hosted by Maya Khan. A packed studio audience congratulated him and shouted out suggestions for his new Muslim name — the consensus choice was Muhammad Abdullah.

Khan was no stranger to controversy. She had been sacked by Samaa TV earlier that year after a morning show in which she chased couples in a public park, accusing them of behaving immorally, and was then hired by another channel.

Sunil, an office boy at the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust, insisted he was a willing convert. "I have accepted Islam by my own will and my family has no objection," he told AFP by telephone. But the trust's head, Ansar Burney, a well-known human rights activist and former UN expert adviser on human rights, condemned the live proselytizing as a "forced conversion" staged without his permission — and threatened a legal suit against Maya Khan.

"We are already intimidated," Ramesh Kumar, a leader of the Pakistan Hindu Council, told AFP. "The government gives little heed to the kidnapping of Hindus and forced faith conversion of our girls. Please don't do things that make us more alienated."