Madhya Pradesh to introduce death penalty for “love jihad”

Bharatiya Janata Party-part (BJP) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced plans to introduce the death penalty for those convicted of “forcibly converting” women to another religion. If enacted, Madhya Pradesh would become the first state to impose the death penalty for “love jihad”, a conspiracy theory that falsely claims Muslim men coerce Hindu women into conversion through marriage to fuel Islamophobia and justify violence.

Laws aimed at addressing the bogey of “love jihad” are regularly weaponized to inflict violence on Muslim men, including those in interfaith relationships. 

Hindu militants storm college campus over Muslim students’ iftar party

Militants from the Hindu supremacist group Bajrang Dal stormed Uttarakhand’s Rishikul Ayurvedic College, protesting against Muslim students for organizing an iftar party on campus. The group falsely claimed the event was a “conspiracy” to bring outsiders into Haridwar, calling it a “Hindu religious city.” Police intervened to de-escalate the situation, but the militants warned of more aggressive action if authorities failed to respond within three days.

Cow vigilantes celebrate group member’s release after assaulting Muslim man

Hindu supremacist cow vigilante leader Puneet Kerehalli and his supporters honored a fellow vigilante with flower garlands and scarves upon his release on bail after assaulting a Muslim man. The group chanted “Jai Shri Ram” (Glory to Ram) while celebrating his return. 

Cow vigilantism has led to widespread violence against Muslims under the pretext of protecting cattle.