Muslim youth assaulted by Hindutva mob over ‘Love Jihad’ allegations
Bhopal: A Muslim youth was brutally assaulted by a Hindutva mob in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh state of India after being accused of love jihad.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the victim, identified as Shahzad Ahmed from Narsinghpur district, arrived in Bhopal court to register their marriage legally under the Special Marriage Act. However, the mob comprising members of the RSS-backed Sanskruti Bachao Manch and other Hindutva organizations violently assaulted Ahmed.
A chilling video of the assault has gone viral on social media, showing the mob dragging Ahmed to the ground, punching him repeatedly, and kicking him in the face with their boots. The attackers accused Ahmed of engaging in Love Jihad, a conspiracy theory claiming Muslim men lure Hindu women into marriage to convert them to Islam.
Police officials stated that they had summoned the woman’s parents and would record her statement regarding consent for the marriage. However, it has emerged that the woman was willing to marry Ahmed, and the couple had informed their parents.
Bhopal-based journalist Kashi Kakvi condemned the incident, saying, “It is frightening to watch what a young interfaith couple in India is going through – just to marry legally.”
The incident highlights the growing concerns about violence against interfaith couples in India, particularly those involving Muslim men and Hindu women.