SHAMLI: Weeks after publicly announcing that he had embraced Islam and changed his name to Mohammad Ali, Ayush Malik (30), the only son of Shamli-based pharmaceutical businessman Devraj Malik, has returned to Hinduism, with his family releasing a video showing him performing puja at their home.In the video, Ayush is seen reading from a prepared statement addressed to his mother. “Mother, I had embraced Islam and changed my religion. After witnessing your suffering and that of our family, and of my own free will, I have returned to my religion. I wish to live under the love and blessings of you and my father. Please forgive me,” he says.The footage also shows him participating in puja and aarti at the family’s temple. Devraj Malik confirmed the video’s authenticity.“As a father, I am deeply grateful to God that my son, Ayush Malik, has chosen to reconnect with his Sanatan values and Vedic traditions,” Devraj said. “For us, Sanatan is not merely a religion but an eternal way of life rooted in culture, values and spirituality.”Ayush’s conversion to Islam and marriage to Chandni Qureshi sparked controversy in Shamli after photographs of him offering Eid prayers went viral on June 8. The episode drew the attention of Hindu organisations and led to the registration of a case under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.Police later arrested Chandni and her father in connection with the case. Ayush’s family alleged that he was trapped into converting as part of a conspiracy to usurp the family’s property. An FIR was registered against Chandni, eight named accused and several unidentified persons.Before this development, Ayush had maintained that he embraced Islam voluntarily. Speaking to TOI earlier, he said he had developed an inclination towards Islam from childhood, converted around four years ago, and married Chandni of his own free will. He had also said both were adults and legally entitled to make their own decisions.