Senior police official states that the incident is being treated as a criminal case arising from a personal dispute between two families
BENGALURU – Tension gripped parts of Hubballi in the southern state of Karnataka on Friday after members of some Hindutva groups allegedly assaulted a 23-year-old Muslim gym trainer following accusations of “love jihad”. The trainer is allegedly involved in a relationship with a Hindu girl.
According to police, a group of people went to the house of 23-year-old Sameer Mulla in Vijayanagar, leading to a confrontation where he was allegedly beaten and taken away.
Members of Hindutva outfits staged a major protest outside the Old Hubballi Police Station until late evening, demanding strict action for what they termed “love jihad”.
“Love jihad” is a term often used by right-wing groups to describe alleged attempts by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into relationships for religious conversion.
Following Sameeer Mulla’s abduction, his family members allegedly went to the girl’s house, resulting in a second clash between the two groups.
Sameer Mulla’s sister, Taiseem Mulla, stated they have been in a consensual relationship for three years and that the girl’s parents were aware of the relationship.
She said her brother was forcibly removed from their home by a large assembly early in the morning. She further alleged that he remained untraceable for approximately two hours before being found in a state requiring immediate medical attention.”
The girl’s mother, Rajeshwari, denied the relationship, alleging her daughter was “hypnotised and harassed”. The family also alleged Sameer Mulla had drugged, raped, and blackmailed the girl with recorded videos.
Members of the Hindutva groups like the SSK Samaj (Pattegar community) claimed it was an attempted “love jihad” case.
Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar stated that the incident is being treated as a criminal case arising from a personal dispute between two families rather than “love jihad”.
“It was found that the issue was related to a relationship between the youth and a girl. The girl’s family members had come to threaten the boy,” the official said, talking to the media.
Media reports indicate that police rescued Sameer Mulla, who is undergoing treatment for minor injuries.
Videos and images of the scuffle and the protest circulated on social media, heightening local tensions. As of Saturday, police were continuing their probe, with complaints registered from both sides.
This incident has once again brought the contentious “love jihad” debate to the fore in Karnataka, a state that has seen similar allegations and political discourse in the past. Authorities have appealed for calm to prevent further escalation in the communally sensitive region.
