Tension gripped Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district after the suspicious death of a 22-year-old woman, Shailu, who had been living with a Muslim youth named Monu in Badnagar. The incident sparked massive protests by Hindu organisations, who accused Monu of trapping the woman under ‘Love Jihad’ and subjecting her to harassment.
According to police, Shailu had been in a live-in relationship with Monu for the past two years and later entered into a nikah with him. On Monday (September 29), her family received shocking news that she had allegedly hanged herself at Monu’s residence.
On Tuesday (September 30), members of the Sakal Hindu Samaj, along with several other Hindu organisations, staged a strong protest outside Badnagar police station. They raised slogans against the accused and demanded that a case be registered under ‘Love Jihad’ laws, besides the demolition of his house.
The protesters were joined by BJP MLA Jitendra Pandya, who directed officials to ensure that strict action was taken under anti-conversion provisions to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Shailu’s brother Mukesh alleged that she was subjected to restrictions by Monu’s family. “She was not allowed to visit temples, nor was she permitted to step out without wearing a burqa. There was constant pressure on her to read the Quran,” he claimed.
Dipika Singh Dodhiya, state president of the Kshatriya Mahasabha, who reached the spot, demanded a thorough probe into whether the woman’s death was suicide or murder. She also pressed for the demolition of Monu’s illegally constructed house.
Responding to public anger, local administration demolished the illegal portion of Monu’s house in Gulab Nagar using a JCB machine on Tuesday evening.
Addressing the agitating crowd, SDM Dhirendra Parashar assured that two separate FIRs were being registered in connection with the case. SDOP Mahendra Singh Parmar further assured protesters that a detailed investigation would be conducted and strict action would follow.
The case has reignited debates around ‘Love Jihad’, with the victim’s mother demanding exemplary punishment. “Such a punishment should be given that no girl ever falls into the trap of Love Jihad,” she said during the protest.
