Video Editor: Sandeep Suman
In yet another case of moral policing by nationalist groups, a young interfaith couple were attacked by the members of Bajrang Dal outside the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) office in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. The victim, Monica, alleged she was taken into a room by Bajrang Dal members and was thrashed by two policewomen in their presence.
They told me that Islam isn’t good, and I should remain a Hindu.Monica
Shedding more light on Monica’s assault, her lawyer Israr Ahmed, told news agency ANI that on 2 June, the interfaith couple got married at the Allahabad High Court. They had gone to the ADM office in Bijnor to obtain their marriage certificate. Despite being given police protection, Monica says she was neglected by the Bijnor police and had been victim of both verbal and physical abuse by Bajrang Dal in front of police.
There are scratch marks on her arm. There are bruises on her body and private parts. All this happened despite the protection order from the High Court. We will take strict action against this.Israr Ahmed, Monica’s Lawyer
Countering allegations made by Monica and her lawyer, the Superintendent of Bijnor Police, Umesh Kumar Singh, posted a video acknowledging that the couple was assaulted by a fringe group, but no police were involved in the attack. He also added:
She threatened to kill herself. Fearing such a behaviour inside the court, the police took her off the premises but did not assault her.Umesh Kumar Singh, Superintendent, Bijnor Police Department
Bajrang Dal is the youth wing of the Hindu nationalist group, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). In a document released by the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in June, the two nationalist groups were classified as classified as a militant religious organisation in India.
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