Love Jihad bogey derailed in Mangaluru

Image Courtesy:daijiworld.com

Giving much fodder to right wing groups out on the hunt for so called “love jihad” cases, a woman in Mangaluru had alleged that her 62-year-old husband had been abducted and “forced to marry a 22-year-old Muslim woman”. However there is a stunned silence from those who were hopig this would fuel some communal tensions, after it was revealed that the man has been accused of rape and arrested.

The 22-year-old woman has accused 62-year-old Gangadhar of the heinous crime and he has been arrested by the Mangaluru South Police who registered the woman’s complaint. Police have charged Gangadhar, an onion trader, of sexual assault. According to a report in The HIndu, it was on March 23, that a 52-year-old woman named Yashoda K., had filed a complaint with the Mangaluru South Police stating that her husband Gangadhar, had been abducted. She alleged that he had been “forced to marry a 22-year-old Muslim woman”. Soon enough, the Mangaluru unit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), amplified her accusation and began terming this to be a case of so-called ‘love jihad’. According to Dajiword, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Sharan Pumpwell alleged that “Love Jihad” by using ladies with the specific aim of trapping men from other religions is being carried out. He has asked the police to investigate the case with diligence and punish the guilty.

In her “complaint” alleging “Love Jihad”, Yashoda had said that “Gangadhar, who went away on a business trip, has not returned since the last week of January this year”. She added, “When we called on his mobile phone, he received the call and spoke on February 8. Thereafter he is not available for contact on mobile phone. Friends informed me that my husband was forcibly married to a Muslim lady on March 15 and also provided evidence.” They reportedly sought ‘a special investigation’ into the matter. However, they could not have even imagined the outcome.

On Thursday, March 25, Police Commissioner N. Shashi Kumar told the media that an investigation team had traced the 22-year-old woman. He added that the woman was a widow and was the mother of a child. According to police it was Gangadhar who reportedly introduced himself as Abdul Anees to her. He promised to marry her and allegedly raped her. According to The Hindu, the young woman became pregnant, and Gangadhar admitted her to Government Lady Goschen Hospital for an abortion. However, she had health problems, and Gangadhar is reported to have “formally married” her a few days ago.

However, the Mangaluru South Police traced and arrested Gangadhar, charging him under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code. The Police Commissioner told the media that the police suspected that Yashodha’s “complaint was an attempt to give communal colour to Gangadhar’s action.” She was Gangadhar’s second wife and now the police have said they will also probe the role of “two of Gangadhar’s friends in connection with the sexual assault on the Muslim woman.”

Now thrice-married Gangadhar, reportedly has five children from his first two wives. The police have also said if any other woman has been victimised by Gangadhar, she should approach the police.