In a disturbing incident in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, two Muslim men were fined for allegedly disturbing public peace after they attended the birthday party of their Hindu friend. The celebration at a local cafe was violently disrupted by members of the right-wing group Bajrang Dal, who levelled accusations of 'love jihad'.
Party Disrupted by Allegations of Love Jihad
The incident unfolded when a nursing student invited her classmates for a small birthday celebration. The group consisted of six girls and four boys, including the two Muslim men who are now facing charges. Minutes after the gathering began, members of the Bajrang Dal forcefully entered the cafe.
The intruders accused the Muslim guests of being involved in 'love jihad', a conspiracy theory often used to target interfaith relationships. The situation quickly turned violent. The Bajrang Dal members allegedly thrashed one of the Muslim boys and also assaulted the birthday girl when she tried to intervene. Disturbing videos from the scene later showed police personnel restraining the girl as she resisted being taken away from the commotion.
Police Inquiry Refutes Core Allegation
Following the disruption, the police launched an inquiry into the matter. The investigation took a significant turn when the police officially refuted the 'love jihad' angle presented by the Bajrang Dal members. Authorities confirmed that the gathering was simply a birthday party among classmates and found no wrongdoing or ulterior motive by the students involved.
Despite clearing the students of the serious 'love jihad' allegation, the police took legal action on a different front. They registered a case for breach of peace under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Charges were filed against the two Muslim male students and a staff member of the cafe for allegedly disturbing public order.
Contrasting Outcomes for Different Groups
The aftermath of the incident highlights a stark contrast in how different parties were treated. While the exonerated students were penalized for breach of peace, the Bajrang Dal members who initiated the violence faced no similar legal consequences. Police reports state that the right-wing group members were simply 'advised to disperse' from the scene after they disrupted the private event.
This case from Bareilly has sparked discussions about the application of law and order, the policing of private social interactions, and the growing impact of vigilante groups on communal harmony in the region. The fact that the victims of the disruption were penalized, while the alleged perpetrators were let off with a warning, raises serious questions about procedural justice.
