Birthday Party Disrupted Over Fake ‘Love Jihad’ Claims: UP Police Book Innocent Guests

'Most guests were Hindus': UP woman on Bajrang Dal's b'day disruption over 'love jihad'

A routine birthday celebration in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, turned into a scene of chaos and communal tension—all because of unfounded allegations of love jihad. Right-wing activists from the Bajrang Dal stormed the private event, falsely accusing two Muslim guests of engaging in a so-called ‘love jihad’ conspiracy, even though the majority of attendees were, in fact, Hindu. Shockingly, local police initially responded by booking the innocent Muslim guests and a cafe employee for ‘breach of peace’—not the disruptors. Only after a formal inquiry were the students fully exonerated.

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What Happened at the Bareilly Birthday Party?

The incident unfolded at a local café in Bareilly, where a young woman was celebrating her birthday with friends. According to the host herself, most of the guests were Hindu—a fact that directly contradicts the activists’ inflammatory claims .

Midway through the event, members of the Bajrang Dal barged in, creating a scene. They singled out two Muslim male students, accusing them of attending the party as part of a ‘love jihad’ plot to ‘trap’ Hindu girls. No evidence was presented. Yet, their aggressive disruption caused panic and fear among attendees.

Instead of detaining the trespassers, police initially detained the two students and a café staff member, citing Section 144 and charges of disturbing public order. The host later publicly stated: “The ‘love jihad’ claim was completely baseless. They were just friends at my party.”

Understanding the Controversial ‘Love Jihad’ Narrative

The term love jihad is not a legal concept in India—it’s a politically charged conspiracy theory that alleges Muslim men systematically feign romantic interest in Hindu women to convert them to Islam. Despite repeated debunking by law enforcement and judicial bodies, the myth persists and is often weaponized to incite fear and vigilante action.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a nationwide probe into ‘love jihad’ in 2010 and found no organized conspiracy. Similarly, courts in Kerala, Karnataka, and other states have dismissed cases due to lack of evidence .

Nevertheless, states like Uttar Pradesh have enacted the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020—popularly known as the ‘anti-love jihad law’—which places the burden of proof on the accused and has been criticized by human rights organizations for enabling harassment of interfaith couples .

Police Response and Eventual Inquiry Findings

The initial police action drew widespread criticism for appearing to side with the mob rather than protect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly.

Following public outcry and media coverage, Bareilly police launched an internal inquiry. The findings were unequivocal: no wrongdoing was found on the part of the two Muslim students or the café staff. They had simply been invited to a birthday party like any other guests.

Despite this, as of the latest reports, no action has been taken against the Bajrang Dal members who forcibly entered private property and incited communal discord—a troubling sign of selective enforcement.

Why False ‘Love Jihad’ Claims Are Dangerous

False allegations of love jihad don’t just damage reputations—they endanger lives. Here’s why they’re so harmful:

  • They normalize mob vigilantism: Encouraging groups to take the law into their own hands.
  • They stigmatize interfaith friendships: Turning ordinary social interactions into suspect activities.
  • They strain community relations: Fueling mistrust between religious groups in already sensitive regions.
  • They waste public resources: Diverting police attention from real crimes to investigate baseless theories.

In this Bareilly case, what should have been a joyful gathering became a traumatic experience for innocent young people—all because of a myth with no factual basis.

Uttar Pradesh has become a focal point for love jihad-related tensions since the enactment of its anti-conversion law. Critics argue that such laws are often misused to target minorities, harass consenting adults, and justify moral policing.

According to a 2021 Human Rights Watch report, these laws have led to arbitrary arrests, forced separations, and a climate of fear among interfaith couples .

The Bareilly incident exemplifies how these laws and the rhetoric surrounding them can spill into everyday life, turning social events into flashpoints for communal aggression—even when no romantic or religious conversion element exists.

What to Do If Falsely Accused of ‘Love Jihad’

If you or someone you know is falsely accused under the pretext of love jihad, take these steps immediately:

  1. Document everything: Save messages, photos, witness contacts, and any evidence of your innocence.
  2. Contact a lawyer: Seek legal counsel from organizations like the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) or local human rights groups.
  3. File a counter-complaint: Report harassment, trespassing, or defamation by the accusers.
  4. Go public (if safe): Media exposure can sometimes pressure authorities to act fairly, as seen in the Bareilly case.

Never let fear silence your right to live freely and associate with whomever you choose.

Conclusion: Birthday Bash Turned Communal Crisis

The Bareilly birthday party incident is more than just a local disturbance—it’s a microcosm of how the myth of love jihad can poison social harmony and subvert justice. An innocent celebration was weaponized by misinformation, leading to wrongful detentions and communal mistrust. While the inquiry cleared the students, the deeper issue remains: as long as baseless conspiracy theories are treated as credible threats, ordinary citizens—especially from minority communities—will live under the shadow of suspicion. True peace begins when facts triumph over fear.

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