As the world looks forward to love and peace on Valentine’s week, hatred descended on a Muslim youth and his Hindu girlfriend, leading to their detention by the police, following protests by members of a Hindu organization in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. The incident unfolded on Friday at a local temple on Delhi Road.
The reports suggest that the Muslim man, hailing from Anand Vihar Colony, was not new in a relationship with the Hindu girl; they have been together for a long time. The incident happened when, on Valentine’s Day, the couple was in a temple carrying cards, flowers, and chocolates and was talking to each other when members of an alleged Hindu group spotted them.
As per the claims of the members of the Hindu organization, they got cognizance of the couples by the priest. “When we reached there, we saw a Muslim boy roaming inside the temple with a Hindu girl. She had no sindoor in her hair, and they were holding hands. It appeared to be a case of love jihad,” one of the members said.
As narrated by the eyewitness, on spotting the couple, one of the members of the organization allegedly pushed the youth, leading to instilled fear and shouting. The crowd swelled near the couple, and police also arrived shortly after learning about the information about the disturbance.
“Valentine’s Day is a symbol of Western culture that is destroying our Hindu traditions. Especially when Muslim boys target Hindu girls, it becomes a matter of concern.” Sudhir Agarwal, minister of the Vishva Hindu Parishad Meerut division, said.
“During initial questioning, it was found that both are adults and had come here with mutual consent. Still, we detained them to maintain peace. Their families have been informed. If we receive any complaint, further action will be taken,” said Station in-charge Inspector Vinod Pandey.
