Inter-faith marriage triggers protest

Sumedha Sharma
Tribune news Service
Gurugram, August 20 

Unrest and communal tension gripped Mewat after 19-year-old Hindu girl married a 32-year-old Muslim tailor in court and sought police protection. The family of the girl along with some Hindu outfits have termed the alliance love jihad and started an indefinite protest, seeking action against the groom. They also want the girl to return to her parents.

The protesters have been alleging conversion of the girl, but no official confirmation has been given as yet. 

The couple, meanwhile, released a video on social media saying that they loved each other and would not bow down to pressure. 

On August 14, Neha, a student of BA second year, had gone missing and her family had filed a complaint with the police. Within days, they accused Akil Khan, a tailor of Chota Sidrawat village, of abducting their daughter with the help of his friend. 

Last evening, when the local police received court orders asking it to provide security to the couple, the parents of the girl along with some Hindu outfits took to the streets raising slogans against the police and blocked the Delhi-Alwar highway. It took a mild lathicharge by the police to disperse them.

“Yes we have been asked to provide security and shall surely do so. The situation is peaceful and under control,” said SP, Mewat, Sangeeta Kalia.

“This is love jihad openly supported by the authorities. He is a 32-year-old father of two children who brainwashed the girl, converted her into a Muslim and took her away. We want her back or we will intensify the protest,” said the girl’s brother. 

Meanwhile, the couple has released a video where the girl has professed her love for Akil and stated that she married him of her own will. 

The issue has created ripples in Gurugram too as local outfits under the aegis of the Hindu Kranti Dal have threatened a district-wide protest if the girl is not returned to her parents.