A 22-year-old final-year nursing student, originally from Badaun, is living in a state of fear and shame, unable to leave her relative's home in Bareilly. This follows a traumatic incident where a private birthday celebration she organized was violently disrupted by a group of vigilantes.
Café Assault Over Allegations of 'Love Jihad'
The distressing episode unfolded on December 27 at a café in Bareilly. The woman had arranged a birthday gathering with friends, which included two Muslim male students. According to her account, around two dozen men, believed to be from right-wing groups, forcefully entered the establishment.
They raised slogans accusing the group of 'love jihad' and allegedly assaulted her friends. The student revealed that the attack has left her psychologically scarred, making her apprehensive about stepping out alone and questioning if she must now select friends based on their religion.
Police Action and Social Media Fallout
Initially, the local police response drew criticism. Penalties were issued against the Muslim students and the café owner for an alleged 'breach of peace', while no immediate arrests were made of the assailants. The two students faced action under BNSS sections 170, 126, and 135 but were later released.
The case saw a significant turn after widespread condemnation on social media on Sunday. Following this, Bareilly SP (City) Manush Pareek announced that the attackers had been identified. A formal FIR was registered under serious charges including house trespass, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and rioting.
Subsequently, on Monday, police arrested five individuals: Prince Singh (19), Aakash (21), Ashish Kumar (26), Mridul Dubey (22), and Deepak (19). However, the key accused, Rishabh Thakur and Deepak Pathak, remain at large.
A Life Upended and a Plea for Justice
The victim, now staying with her aunt after leaving her institute hostel, expressed deep anguish. "I feel deeply ashamed that my friends were harassed and assaulted for their faith. It has ruined my image everywhere," she said. She emphasized that her parents were aware of and had permitted the party, challenging the vigilantes' authority.
"Who gave these men the right to decide who I should be friends with?" she asked, stating that her upbringing and profession never taught her to judge people by religion. Distraught by the 'love jihad' allegations circulating on social media, she has demanded that police find who leaked information about her party.
Her distress is profound, with the student stating she would hold the attackers responsible if strict action is not taken. The incident highlights the severe personal consequences of mob vigilantism and the struggle for justice in the face of communal allegations.
