Guwahati, 16th August: A young couple was violently assaulted by a mob in the Nutan Bazar area of Sonai constituency, Assam, on Independence Day, in an incident being described as a case of moral policing. The attack, which occurred near a local school, has sparked widespread condemnation after a video of the assault went viral on social media.
The mob accused the youth of engaging in “love jihad,” a term used by some to describe interfaith relationships that they claim involve coercion. Reports suggest that the couple’s differing religious backgrounds fueled the mob’s anger, leading to the brutal attack.
Police arrived swiftly at the scene, intervening to rescue the couple from further harm. The injured youth was taken into police custody, while the girl was placed in a shelter home to ensure her safety. Authorities have initiated an investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the assault.
This incident follows Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent announcement on August 4 about the introduction of a new law targeting cases of “love jihad.” The proposed law would mandate life imprisonment for those found guilty of such offenses, reflecting a broader trend of rising tensions surrounding interfaith relationships in the region.
The attack has drawn criticism from various quarters, with many calling for stricter measures to prevent such acts of violence and to protect individuals’ rights to personal freedom and safety. As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by couples in interfaith relationships in certain parts of India.
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