Following the elopement of an interfaith couple, Hindu nationalist supporters organised a Maha Panchayat, using the incident to promote the anti-Muslim conspiracy theory of “love jihad.” Lalit Sharma, Hindu Raksha Dal leader, warned that if the girl did not return within 48 hours, they would not allow Muslims to offer namaz or observe Roza in mosques. Rohit Pradhan, leader of the Hindu Suraksha Seva Manch, warned the administration that if the eloped woman was not returned, “jihadis” would take away Hindu women from their homes. He claimed that he would either die for “Dharm” or kill for it. He termed Muslims “pigs” and “kathmulle,” warning that if the police took no action, they would take matters into their own hands. Another speaker urged Hindu women to boycott Muslim women, claiming they were facilitating “love jihad” in schools and colleges by befriending Hindu women on behalf of their male friends.