Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru

Chikkamagaluru, Mar 28: Police have registered an FIR against Bajrang Dal leaders for allegedly threatening a man who supported an interfaith marriage in Chikkamagaluru district.

Basavanahalli police have booked district-level Bajrang Dal leaders Shyam and Sagar under sections 353(1)(C) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Mahesh, a Gobi chat shop owner.

Left: Complainent Mahesh

According to the police, Mahesh employed a worker from the Muslim community who was in a relationship with a Hindu woman. When Mahesh learned about their relationship, he helped them get married at the Sub-Registrar’s office in Chikkamagaluru city four days ago and signed as a witness to their marriage.

Following this, Hindu organizations expressed outrage, accusing him of supporting "love jihad". Bajrang Dal leaders allegedly launched a social media campaign against Mahesh, calling him a traitor to Hindus and alleging that he facilitated interfaith marriages. The accused reportedly urged people to take a stand against such acts.

The controversy comes amid concerns over interfaith relationships in Karnataka. A recent case in Mysuru involved a Muslim youth and a Hindu woman allegedly submitting fake address documents at the Sub-Registrar’s office. The incident led to scrutiny from Hindu organizations, who questioned the validity of affidavits submitted in such cases.

In a separate incident on August 27, 2024, Udupi police arrested a BJP worker in connection with an alleged ‘love jihad’ case. The BJP had previously campaigned against the Karnataka government over the abduction and rape allegations linked to the case.

Earlier, on May 4, 2024, an accused in a ‘love jihad’ case was shot in the leg and arrested in a police encounter in Dharwad. Identified as 19-year-old Saddam Hussain Limbuwale from Hubballi, he was on the run after being accused of raping a 17-year-old minor girl.

Police are continuing their investigation into the threats issued against Mahesh.