With R Subashini still fresh in the news, we hear of yet another child tussle. This one had the Syariah Court, lawyers, religious officials and even the police reportedly getting into the fray. A 15-month old child whom the parents have named Divayah Tharshini has been snatched by the Jabatan Agama Islam Melaka (JAIM), the child's father V Suresh, 28, alleges in his police report.

Divayah's 28-year-old mother, Siti Fatimah Abdul Karim, is currently being held in a religious rehabilitation centre in Ulu Yam, Selangor. The state has the authority to hold in detention those Muslims it deems as deviating from the faith. Siti Fatimah has made a police report stating that she is Hindu in her heart, having been brought up by her Hindu grandmother as such. She wishes to legally change her religion, and name to Rovathi.

Siti Fatimah's predicament has echoes of Lina Joy. Bearing a Muslim name, it is impossible in Malaysia for her to solemnise a civil marriage to Suresh.