By Huneza Khan
Bhopal: ‘Bhopal mein love jihad ka The Kerala Story pattern’ (The Kerala Story pattern of love jihad in Bhopal)
‘Love jihad par pehli baar ubla Bhopal…’ (Bhopal is boiling over love jihad for the first time…)
‘Muslim yuvakon ka doosra giroh bhi fansaata tha Hindu ladkiyon ko’ (Another gang of Muslim youth was also trapping Hindu girls)
‘Bhopal mein pehli baar: 25 jagahon se ek hi awaaz – love jihadiyon ko faansi do’ (For the first time, a united clamour came from 25 places in Bhopal – hang the love jihadis)
The above statements might sound like lines from a hate-filled WhatsApp forward or a poorly written propaganda script. However, these are headlines and coverage by mainstream Hindi newspapers concerning a rape case from Bhopal in which the accused individuals allegedly recorded videos of the victims – female college students – and used them for blackmail. They allegedly also pressured the victims into religious conversion.
Speaking to The Wire, Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra said, “The police are taking action on complaints from five college girls who have accused seven individuals. Five of them have been arrested. We cannot comment on media reports. One accused is named in four to five cases filed by individual girls. We have found objectionable videos, and action has been taken under POCSO, rape charges, and the MP Freedom of Religion Act (MPFRA) in matters where there were complaints of religious conversion.”
He added, “We do not have exact numbers (of cases registered under MPFRA) at present; these can be obtained from different branches.”
The Madhya Pradesh Police set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) specifically to investigate allegations of forced religious conversion. A three-member NCW (National Commission for Women) is also investigating the matter.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.
