Love-Jihad: FIR registered against Kannada YouTuber Kwaja Mohammed Haniff Shirahatti over marriage controversy

Dharwad: A serious controversy has erupted around popular Kannada YouTuber Kwaja Shirahatti, popularly known as Mukaleppa, after allegations of fraudulent marriage and life threats were made against him. An FIR has been registered at the Dharwad Rural Police Station following a complaint filed by Bajrang Dal activists, and the police have initiated a formal investigation into the matter.

According to the complaint, Mukaleppa allegedly created fake documents to marry a Hindu woman named Gayatri Jalihala under fraudulent circumstances. Bajrang Dal’s Dharwad District Coordinator, Rajesh Patil, stated, “Mukaleppa, whose real name is Kwaja Mohammed Hanif Shirahatti, concealed his identity and married a Hindu girl by threatening her. He registered the marriage at the Mundgod Sub-Registrar office in Uttara Kannada using false documents. This is part of a clear love jihad plan.”

Patil further alleged that Mukaleppa has engaged in blasphemy on his YouTube channel, deliberately insulting Hinduism, and accused him of kidnapping the young woman to carry out his plan. The complaint claims that the girl’s parents, along with pro-Hindu organisations, have approached the police alleging threats to the girl’s life and illegal abduction.

Despite these allegations, Gayatri herself has released a video statement on social media, denying the love jihad claims and asserting that she married Mukaleppa of her own free will. Police, however, have clarified that social media statements cannot be considered definitive, as it is unclear under what circumstances the video was recorded.

Speaking about the ongoing investigation, Hubballi-Dharwad City Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar said, “The girl’s parents have complained about life threats and kidnapping. Protecting her is our top priority. A search operation is underway to locate Kwaja Shirahatti. We will rescue the girl and take her formal statement before making any further decisions. The investigation will be impartial and thorough.”

The police have already initiated a search operation to locate Mukaleppa and conduct questioning. Officials confirmed that protecting the young woman and ensuring her safety remains the immediate priority.

The controversy escalated further after reports that the Mundagoda Sub-Registrar office allegedly violated rules while registering the marriage. The marriage was reportedly registered on June 5, 2025, on the same day the documents were submitted. Pro-Hindu organisations and the girl’s mother, Shivakka, have criticised the sub-registrar for falsely registering Hubballi-Dharwad residents as Mundagoda locals, arguing that the law mandates that at least one person in the marriage should be a local resident.

The incident has drawn widespread attention on social media and among community organizations, with discussions focusing on legality, religious concerns, and online abuse. Meanwhile, the police have reiterated that the rescue and protection of the young woman is the priority, and they will conduct a detailed investigation into the allegations of document forgery, kidnapping, and life threats.