Communal Tension Escalates in Uttarakhand

 Communal tension is escalating in various towns of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, following an alleged elopement attempt by two Muslim men and a Hindu girl. Similar incidents involving Muslim perpetrators and Hindu victims have been reported in other areas as well. The situation in Purola remains tense, with reports of shop closures and threatening posters. A Mahapanchayat, organized by the Hindu community, aims to address the issue of love jihad, believed to be prevalent in Uttarakhand. The district administration denied permission for the event, but organizations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal support it.

On June 14, the Supreme Court rejected a petition to halt the Mahapanchayat, emphasizing that maintaining law and order is the government’s responsibility. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand appealed for peace and urged people not to take the law into their own hands. The administration assured appropriate action against those who break the law, and the Director General of Police emphasized preparedness to maintain law and order, urging cooperation from all parties.

The rising concern over love jihad has led to the organization of the Mahapanchayat by Hindus in Uttarkashi. Love jihad refers to the alleged practice of Muslim men enticing Hindu women into marriage for religious conversion. The recent incident in Purola has sparked discussions and raised awareness about this issue in Uttarakhand.