By Team Clarion
UJJAIN – Tensions have gripped Bichrod village near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh after accusations of ‘love jihad’ against Muslim youths in the area. The unrest was sparked by a viral video showing a Hindu girl with a Muslim youth, which angered local Hindu organisations and led to violence against the Muslim community.
The video, which spread rapidly on social media, showed the young woman with one of the accused, triggering an immediate backlash from members of the Hindu community in the village. In response to the video, an enraged mob, reportedly supported by Hindu organisations, launched an attack on the homes of Muslim families, accusing them of engaging in ‘love jihad’ – a term used by right-wing groups to allege that Muslim men are involved in deceptive tactics to convert Hindu women to Islam through romantic relationships.
Villagers, joined by members of Hindu organisations, stormed the homes of Muslim youths. Two youths, including the main accused Farman, were dragged from their homes and their mobile phones were seized by the mob. Upon inspecting the phones, the mob claimed to have found objectionable photos and videos, further inflaming tensions.
The mob’s anger turned violent when they started pelting stones at the house of Farman, one of the youths accused of being involved in the alleged ‘love jihad’. The situation deteriorated further when the house was set on fire, with significant damage caused before the fire brigade could arrive on the scene.
Farman’s house was not the only target. Other properties belonging to Muslim families in the village were also attacked, leaving residents fearful for their safety. The fire brigade and police arrived promptly at the scene, but by then, significant damage had already been done.
As the violence spread, Ujjain’s Superintendent of Police (SP), Pradeep Sharma, along with senior officers, rushed to Bichrod village to control the situation. The police quickly detained seven Muslim youths, including Farman, Iqrar, Uzair Pathan, Raja Rangrez, Zuber Mansuri, Junaid Mansuri, and Faiz Khan.
“We have detained seven youths after the video went viral,” said SP Pradeep Sharma, speaking to reporters at the scene. “The mobile data of all detained individuals is being investigated by the cyber team. We are also investigating the mobile phone of the main accused.”
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.