A protest erupted in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, after Hindu leaders and the family of a young woman accused a police Sub-Inspector (SI) of mishandling a love jihad case involving a Hindu woman from Chhattisgarh and a Muslims man. The matter gained state-level attention and highlighted ongoing concerns related to love jihad.
Chronology of Events
The young woman, originally from Chhattisgarh, had been staying in the Bhurarrani area of Udham Singh Nagar with her grandmother while working at a bank. Several weeks ago, she traveled with her grandmother to send her back to Chhattisgarh due to health concerns. Following this, her family lost contact with her for some time. A week prior to the incident, the woman called her grandmother from Delhi and pleaded to be rescued, narrating she had become a victim of love jihad.
Responding to her pleas, her relatives—along with local Bajrang Dal leaders—traveled to Rudrapur and successfully facilitated her release. Subsequently, her family and activists approached the Rudrapur police to initiate legal action under allegations of forced conversion and exploitation.
Allegations Against Police
After filing the complaint, the case was assigned to SI Neha Rana. According to the woman’s relatives, she was taken for a medical checkup by the SI but returned several hours later with a changed stance regarding the allegations. The family accused the SI of conspiracy, claiming that the woman was made to meet the Muslim accused in isolation and that attempts were made to manipulate her statements. This led to a heated protest at the local police station by Hindu organizations and family members, demanding a change of the investigating officer and stricter action against the accused.
Police Response and Case Progress
The protest led to significant commotion at the Rudrapur Kotwali police station, with demonstrations extending into the following morning. Only after lengthy discussion with senior police officials, including SSI Naveen Budhani, did the agitated parties disperse. The police agreed to swap the investigating officer and promptly registered an FIR against the accused under rape charges, transferring the matter to the Transit Camp Police Station for further investigation.
The incident has intensified concerns around love jihad in Uttarakhand, a region that has seen similar controversies in recent months. Hindu organizations have remained vocal, alleging systemic failures and demanding robust police action in such cases. Broader protests and awareness drives regarding love jihad menace have been noted across the state and other regions, often fueled by these high-profile cases.
Current Status
As of this report, the police have registered the necessary case, changed the investigating officer, and assured a neutral and thorough probe. The family and supporting organizations remain vigilant about the proceedings, seeking justice and greater accountability from the authorities. The incident is a reflection of the growing cases of love jihad which is a further complicated by law enforcement agencies in handling such sensitive matters.
