‘Love Jihad’ in Karnataka’s Mudhol: Hindu woman claims husband Saviff took Rs 4 lakh, gold and abandoned her

BAGALKOT: Allegations of so-called “love jihad” have surfaced in Karnataka’s Mudhol after a Hindu woman approached the office of the district Superintendent of Police seeking justice, claiming she was deceived into religious conversion and marriage and later subjected to harassment and abandonment.

The woman, originally identified as Sridevi and belonging to the Kuruba community, broke down in tears outside the office of Siddharth Goyal, Superintendent of Police of Bagalkot, on Saturday. She alleged that the man she married after converting her to Islam and took her money and gold and later threw her out of the house.

According to the complaint, Sridevi had earlier been married to a man from her own community nearly 14 years ago and had children from that marriage. However, while she was working in Mudhol, she came into contact with a man identified as Savif Patte.

The woman alleged that Savif befriended her and gradually developed a relationship. She claimed that he promised to marry her and convinced her to end her previous marriage. According to her statement, Savif already had two wives, but allegedly persuaded her to convert to Islam and marry him by assuring her of a stable life together.

Sridevi alleged that the man later pressured and threatened her to convert her religion. Following the conversion, she changed her name to Habiba. The marriage was solemnised through a Nikah ceremony on February 7, 2023.

However, according to the woman, the situation changed soon after the wedding. She claimed that the man began mistreating her and allegedly subjected her to harassment and intimidation. She further alleged that he took away Rs 4 lakh in cash and about four tolas of gold jewellery that she possessed.

“He promised me marriage and convinced me to convert. After the marriage, he started showing his real behaviour,” the woman said while speaking to reporters near the police office.

She further alleged that after taking her money and jewellery, Savif returned to live with his first wife and eventually drove her out of the house after physically assaulting her.

The woman said she has now been left helpless and without support. With children to care for and no financial resources, she said she is struggling to survive.

“I have lost both my husbands now. I have children to raise and nowhere to go. Where should I go with them?” she asked emotionally while appealing for justice.

The woman also alleged that when she initially approached the Mudhol police station to file a complaint, her concerns were not addressed immediately. Feeling ignored, she decided to approach the district police chief directly in Bagalkot to seek intervention.

After hearing the woman’s complaint, SP Siddharth Goyal assured that the police would examine the allegations carefully and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.

“We have received a complaint from the woman alleging harassment by her husband. Instructions have been given to register a case at the Mudhol police station and investigate the matter as per law,” Goyal said.

He further added that the matter would also be reviewed through the women’s police unit to ensure that the complainant receives the necessary support and protection during the investigation.

The incident has triggered discussion locally, with some groups describing it as a case of “love jihad,” a term used by certain organisations to allege that Muslim men deliberately target Hindu women for marriage and conversion.