Chennai: A disturbing case of alleged “Love Jihad” has surfaced in Kilithampatarai village, Katpadi Mandal, Vellore District, leading to widespread protests and growing concerns among the local Hindu community. The incident involves a Muslim man named Yashik, son of Naser Basha, who has been accused of marrying a Hindu girl under false pretenses, only to abandon her after eight months of marriage.
According to reports, Yashik had initially wooed and married the Hindu girl, who later converted to Islam, changing her name from Priya Lakshmi to Nazia. The marriage was solemnized by Kazi NHS Sayethu Kalifa Saheeb Kadri, and the girl even filed an affidavit on a non-judicial stamp paper affirming her love for Yashik, stating that she had been in love with him since her teenage years. The affidavit also mentioned that she is a major and converted to Islam of her own free will.
However, the situation took a troubling turn when it was revealed that Yashik had allegedly moved on to pursue another Hindu girl from the same street. This development sparked outrage in the local community, particularly among members of the Hindu Munnani, who have been vocal about the issue of “Love Jihad” and its impact on Hindu women.
Concerned for his daughter’s safety, the father of the second girl filed a complaint with the local police, but he was reportedly dissatisfied with the authorities’ response. Frustrated by the perceived inaction, he sought the assistance of an organisation that has been active in raising awareness about similar incidents.
On August 26, Vellore divisional president K. Mahesh, divisional secretary V. Ravi, and over 100 residents of Kilithampatarai village organized a protest to demand immediate action. The protesters marched to the office of the District Superintendent of Police, where they filed a formal complaint against Yashik, urging the authorities to locate the girl and hold Yashik accountable for his actions.
லவ் ஜிஹாத்… விழிப்புணர்வும், நடவடுக்கையும் தேவை..
வேலூர் மாவட்டம், காட்பாடி மண்டல் கிலித்தான்பட்டறை ஊரீல், யாசிக் என்ற முஸ்லிம் நபர் இந்துப் பெண்ணை லவ் ஜிகாத் (காதலித்து) திருமணம் செய்து 8 மாதம் கழித்து அனுப்பி விடுகிறான்… pic.twitter.com/WiibTbGQVN
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 28, 2024
The incident has reignited debates around the issue of “Love Jihad” in Tamil Nadu, a term used by some to describe alleged efforts by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into marriage with the intent of converting them to Islam. Critics of the term argue that it is a communal and divisive concept, while proponents believe it represents a real threat to their community.
As the investigation continues, tensions remain high in Vellore, with many calling for stronger measures to protect vulnerable women and prevent such incidents from recurring. The case has also drawn attention to the role of organizations like the Campus Front of India (CFI), a sister outfit of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), which has been accused of targeting Hindu and Christian women for conversion through marriage.
The girl under pressure from them, converted to Islam after changing her name from Priya Lakshmi to Nazia. She has filed sworn in affidavit in a non judicial stamp paper saying she is a major and has been in love with Yashik for several years (!). She has fallen in love in her teens when she was a minor.
It is alleged he had trapped another girl from the same street in the name of love. These incidents of love jihad in Tamil Nadu often go unnoticed because of the failure of the victims and their families fearing social stigma and repercussions and threat from Muslim community and politicians who are behind them. so it is very hard to prove it as love jihad in the first place. In most cases either the Jamat , or local influential political chamchas shut the victims family by money or using muscle power. Police in Tamil nadu has an unwritten rule not to accept complaints against minorities even if murder cases.
The Hindu Munnani has called for increased awareness and intervention to protect Hindu girls from such situations.
In 2009, a Kerala court observed that groups like the NDF, PFI, and Campus Front have established bases in college campuses across various cities in India for carrying out well-funded Love Jihad against Hindu and Christian girls.
The court hearing revealed that the strategy involved targeting highly talented girls from affluent Hindu and Christian families. The court observed that the program allegedly began in 1996 with the support of Muslim organisations.
Hindu Munnani’s state president Kadeswara Subramaniam in statement in July said “a 60-year-old man allegedly raped a girl in the Thiruvithankodu area of Kanyakumari district, but the Muslim Jamaath officials did not inform the police. Instead, they convened a Katta Panchayat, demanding that the accused be confined to the Jamaat office, his house be sold, and three lakh rupees arising out of the sale be paid to the victim.
In another incident a 23 years old of resident Karumbukadai in Coimbatore based youth who eloped with a 17 year old minor girl was traced at a lodge in Srinagar in Kashmir on 21 st July. Nehru Park police in Sri Nagar arrested M Mohamed Ayas while checking lodges there. A Mohammed Saleem, father of Ayas lodged missing complaints with Karumbukadai police station on Sunday afternoon after his son did not return home after closing their shop on July 13th . While Perur all woman police registered a 17 year old girl missing case on July 14th. It is learnt that Ayas fell in love with the girl and eloped with her after promising marry her. The police received information that the couple were detained in Kashmir during a checking of hotels. A team has rushed to Kashmir to bring them back to Coimabtore and for further probe. They were brought back on 23 rd July. These are only sample that took place recently.
