VHP–Bajrang Dal leader Vikas Verma, speaking at a weekly Hanuman Chalisa gathering, peddled the anti-Muslim conspiracy theory of “love jihad,” citing the recent Ayush Malik conversion controversy in Shamli and alleging that Muslim women also participate in such activities. Referring to Muslims as “jihadis,” “enemies,” and “Islamic extremists,” he alleged that Hindu religious gatherings are targeted with stone-pelting and claimed that Hindus require security and official permission to organise religious events despite being a majority. He further alleged that action against illegal encroachments faces resistance and called for an economic boycott of businesses at pilgrimage sites, claiming that their profits fund “jihad” and religious extremism.