Guwahati: Blood on the streets of Nalbari. Sensational Love Jihad murder case rocks Assam on May 31st. 17-year-old Hindu girl Mridu Mudra was stabbed by Islamist Aashique Ali and her cousin brother Madhurjya was killed while trying to save her. The minor victim is fighting for her life in the ICU. And a state is in outrage.
A brutal knife attack on the evening of May 31 has shaken Assam to its core — triggering massive public anger and fresh demands for justice, as the incident takes on a deeply communal dimension with allegations of Love Jihad sweeping across the state.
It was an ordinary Sunday evening. Madhurjya Barman, a leader of the All Assam Students Union (AASU), and his cousin Mridu Mudra Barman were heading home on a motorcycle after buying her Class 12 textbooks from Nalbari town. At around 7 PM, in the Gangapur area of Nalbari town, their bike was stopped by two Islamist — Aashique Ali alias Rose and his companion Hitesh Ali. They try to kidnap the minor Hindu girl. What followed was savage.
Eyewitnesses say a heated argument broke out between the two sides. Within moments, Ashique and Hitesh pulled out sharp knives and launched a frenzied attack on the two cousins.
Madhurjya was stabbed multiple times in the chest and stomach. He collapsed on the road. He was dead before help could arrive.
The attackers then turned on Mridu Mudra. She was stabbed in her stomach, scalp and back. Bleeding heavily, she fell beside her cousin. The two assailants fled the scene immediately. Locals passing through Gangapur spotted both victims lying on the roadside — motionless, drenched in blood. Families were informed. Both were rushed to Nalbari Medical College Hospital (NMCH). Madhurjya was declared dead on arrival. Mridu Mudra, in critical condition, was given emergency treatment at NMCH before being referred to Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH). She is currently admitted in the ICU and her condition remains critical.
Family members of the victims said that Islamist Ashique alias Rose proposed to the victim Mridu Mudra several times for the last 3 years when she was in class 9. She had to change her school and took admission in a nearby school in class 12 because of continuous harassment from the Islamist. After her school transfer, attacker Ashique reached the victim’s house and threatened to kill her if she refused his proposal. The victim’s family informed Ashique’s parents and warned of a legal action if he repeats it. Five days ago he met the victim and threatened her. But unfortunately the Hindu family ignored the threats of the Islamist didn’t take any legal action. After that what happened on May 31st is an unimaginable and cruel result of love jihad.
A state in outrage
The brutal killings of the AASU leader and young bright students were condemned by the student union.
AASU President Utpal Sharma said that it is unacceptable. How dare a Miya Muslim criminal could stab a bright student leader and a girl in a busy town road. The police and government should give immediate justice to the victims otherwise AASU will stage a statewide protest.
Nalbari AASU have taken to the streets demanding immediate justice for Madhurjya and Mridu Mudra. The incident has triggered a fierce debate, with many describing it as a targeted communal attack. The Love Jihad angle — the alleged pattern of Muslim men targeting Hindu women — has added explosive fuel to the already volatile situation. Many in Assam’s indigenous community see this as yet another instance of a disturbing and growing trend that authorities have failed to decisively address.
