Muslim Woman Harassed in Bengaluru for Associating with Hindu Man, Ordered to Surrender Burqa
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Synopsis
In a distressing incident in Bengaluru, a young Muslim woman faced harassment from a group for being with a Hindu man. The event was documented in a viral video, prompting police action against the perpetrators who attempted to impose moral policing.
Key Takeaways
- Moral policing incidents are alarming and on the rise.
- The police have arrested four individuals for their involvement.
- The young woman defended herself against the group.
- Community support is crucial in addressing such issues.
- Incidents of harassment based on religious differences must be condemned.
Bengaluru, April 15 (NationPress) In a disturbing instance of moral policing, a young Muslim woman was targeted in a park in Bengaluru by a group of individuals for being in the company of a Hindu male.
This incident gained attention after a 2-minute-14-second video circulated widely on social media on Tuesday. The police are in the process of verifying the specifics surrounding the event.
In the video, one of the men, who appears to be filming the couple, sternly instructs the young woman to surrender her burqa and is seen menacingly threatening her.
The footage captures the group confronting the couple and inquiring about the young woman’s name. When she attempts to shield herself behind the young man, they probe him, questioning how a Muslim woman and a Hindu man can be together.
The young man replies that they are simply friends. One of the men in the group asserts that their relationship is more than friendship, claiming he has the entire video as proof.
The man continues to harass the young woman, demanding that she approach him and disclose her name as he calls over other members of his group. He persistently demands her to state her name.
He further declares, "If you wish to engage in this behavior, do it without wearing the burqa. She is part of our (Muslim) community. Return my burqa," he insists.
As the young woman attempts to leave while holding her friend’s hand, the man trails them, insisting she hand over the burqa before departing.
He continues to torment her, exclaiming, "What tricks are you playing? Do you want to hold his hand? Do you have no respect for the burqa? I demand that you relinquish it," he insists.
"You can go to hell -- we are indifferent. First, remove the burqa, then leave," the man is heard telling her.
The woman pleads with them not to escalate the situation. Nevertheless, the man accuses her, claiming they had been monitoring her since she entered a hotel. He interrogates her, questioning how she can act in such a manner as a Muslim.
On April 11, the Karnataka Police apprehended four individuals, including a minor, regarding a case of moral policing reported within the Chandra Layout police station jurisdiction in Bengaluru.
The accused allegedly confronted a Muslim woman for conversing with a youth from another community. They verbally assaulted her and attempted to harm her.
DCP (West) S. Girish stated, "Within the scope of Chandra Layout police station, a boy and a girl were seated on a bike in front of a park. Upon noticing them, a group of four to five men approached and began interrogating them. The woman was clad in a burqa."
"The accused questioned her about her presence at the location and whether she had informed her family. Based on the young woman’s complaint, we registered a case and arrested the four accused. The minor involved has also been taken into custody," the DCP elaborated.
Police sources indicated that the young Muslim woman stood firm and confronted the group, questioning their intrusion into her personal affairs. She reportedly told them that the person she was engaging with was her classmate and inquired why she should disclose her family’s contact details. Later, her family filed a police complaint.
