Social media users claim the assault was carried out by self-styled cow vigilante Rishi Rajput and his associates
GHAZIABAD — A Muslim youth was allegedly assaulted and paraded through the streets after being accused of “love jihad” in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district.
According to posts shared on X, the incident took place in the Khora area of the district. Social media users alleged that the assault was carried out by self-styled cow vigilante Rishi Rajput and his associates, who accused the victim of “love jihad” before beating him and forcing him to walk through the locality.
Videos circulating online show the youth being physically assaulted and publicly humiliated while surrounded by a group of men. In one video, he appears to be marched through the streets as members of the group heckle him. Some posts also claim he was forced to chant Hindu religious slogans during the incident.
The videos have triggered widespread outrage online, with many users questioning how individuals could publicly assault and humiliate someone over an allegation and taking the law into their own hands.
Several users called on Uttar Pradesh Police and Ghaziabad Police to conduct a fair investigation and take strict action against those involved. Others argued that allegations such as “love jihad” cannot justify violence or public humiliation and that any suspected offence should be dealt with through the legal process.
One social media user questioned whether certain extremist groups had assumed the authority to accuse people, assault them and parade them through the streets, adding that it is for the courts and not self-appointed vigilantes to determine guilt or innocence.
One user wrote, “Anyone who takes the law into their own hands must face strict legal action, regardless of their religion, identity, or background. It is the responsibility of the police to enforce the law, and it is the courts—not mobs on the streets—that decide guilt or innocence.”
There has been no official statement from Ghaziabad Police confirming the circumstances of the incident or announcing any action against those seen in the viral videos. It also remained unclear whether an FIR had been registered.
