By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 7 Jun: Cases of ‘Love Jihad’ are reportedly rising and hitting the headlines in Uttarakhand. Many of these incidents involve minor Hindu girls being ‘trapped’ by youth of a particular minority community. The sharp rise in such cases in the state has resulted in public ire and anguish. Since even remote hill towns have been no exception to such cases, people have taken to the streets in protest.
Purola in district Uttarkashi is a remote town in the hills. Here, a minor Hindu girl was allegedly abducted by two youths, one of them a Muslim. The latter was working in one of the shops in Purola market being run by Muslims. As a result, the traders of Purola took to the streets and the anguish was so strong that the Muslim shopkeepers, around 40 in all, have since not opened their shops. Posters have been found attached to their shops warning them to close down permanently.
However, since then, a few more similar incidents have happened including one in Dehradun and another in Haridwar.
As a result of this, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken serious note of the incidents and, in tune with public sentiments, he has directed strict action against the culprits involved, particularly where the girls are minors. He called up DGP Ashok Kumar in this regard, asking the Police to take strict action.
In Purola, the case of abducting of a Hindu minor girl continues to disturb the town. Resentment among the local people against a particular community and outside traders is at its peak. A Mahapanchayat of the local people has been planned in Purola on 15 June while the Muslim shopkeepers have been told to leave the place before it takes place.
Dhami has made it clear that Love and Land Jihad will not be permitted at any cost in Uttarakhand and all the attempts to change the demography and the traditional culture of the state will not be permitted. Dhami said that the DGP has been instructed to act strictly on such matters. Taking immediate cognisance of the districts where such cases are coming up, ensuring peace should be made a priority, in addition to arresting the culprits. Instructions have been passed to take strict action against the accused.
In this regard, Additional Director General (ADG), Law & Order, Dr V Murugesan, has stated that the district police in-charges have been alerted and directed to ensure appropriate action to maintain peace and law and order. Along with this, instructions have been given to take strict action against those who disturb the atmosphere, which leads to communal disharmony.
