Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has declared a firm stance against the recent cases of ‘love jihad’ in the state, emphasizing that such incidents will be dealt with sternly. In response to the growing concerns over these cases, Dhami announced a high-level meeting with the Director-General of Police (DGP) and other officials to discuss the issue and take appropriate action.
Several instances of ‘love jihad’ have surfaced in Uttarakhand recently, leading to unrest and widespread public outcry. In one such case from Purola town in Uttarkashi, two youths, one Muslim named Obaid and another named Jitender Saini, allegedly attempted to abduct a Hindu girl from the local community. The incident resulted in the filing of an FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, based on the complaint lodged by the girl’s family. The accused were swiftly arrested and sent to jail.
The incident sparked protests in Barkot, Naogaon, Purola, and Damta, as the local communities expressed their outrage. The Yamuna Valley Hindu Jagriti Sangathan called for market closures in these areas, demanding justice for the victim.
Following the incident, posters appeared in Purola’s minority-owned shops, urging them to vacate the premises by 15 June. The posters, allegedly put up by the Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, warned of consequences if the ‘love jihadis’ did not comply. Reports indicated that some of the shops owned by the minority community were marked with crosses in black paint, indicating a sense of elimination.
Locals revealed that nine shop owners had requested their Muslim tenants to vacate their premises under the influence of Swami Darshan Bharati, a right-wing Hindu leader known for his vocal stance against the minority community. Seven shopkeepers have already packed their goods and are awaiting transportation.
Similar cases of Muslim youths allegedly luring Hindu girls have also been reported in Gauchar of Chamoli district and Haridwar.
The persisting issue of ‘love jihad’ has caused significant unrest in Uttarakhand, prompting the state government to take decisive action. CM Dhami’s commitment to addressing these cases with an iron fist reflects the government’s determination to maintain peace and harmony in the region.
