News Analysis |
A viral video about an alleged “Love Jihad” case in India has shocked the country. In the appalling video, the victim girl was initially rescued by cops from members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) who were harassing a Meerut couple on the pretext of Love Jihad. The cops after rescuing the girl from VHP members ,however, began assaulting her in the police van calling her out for choosing a Muslim partner and made a video.
https://www.facebook.com/SusuSwamy/videos/567379467050645/
The woman, a medical student from the majority Hindu community, was allegedly having an affair with a minority Muslim man, also a medical student. The far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), an organization related to the ruling right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), found out about their “friendship” and handed the students over to the police Sunday.
Before handing them over to the police, the VHP members invaded the man’s house and assaulted him for conducting “love jihad.” Love Jihad refers to the marriages between Muslim men and Hindu women. Its appeal to communal sensibilities by demonizing the matrimonial relations of Muslim men and Hindu women and thus synchronizes with the communal slogan of “Hindu Khatre Mein hay” (Hindus are in danger). Hindutva fundamentalists use the threat of Love Jihad as one of the many perceived perils to the Indian Hindu community.
Read more: Indian SC rules against love jihad campaign started by Hindutva extremists
Meanwhile, another video relating to the incident has also become viral. In the video, a friend of the Muslim student is being assaulted by VHP members in the presence of the Indian police.
https://www.facebook.com/SusuSwamy/videos/2130587577196585/
The colluding of the Indian police with the Hindutva groups raises many concerns. For many observers, Indian state institutions have been complicit in the anti-Muslim violence. However, as the attack on the girl shows that the Police is now no longer a silent spectator but becoming a tool of Saffron terrorism.