Hubballi, October 10, 2025 – Tension gripped the Gokul Road area in Hubballi on Thursday evening after members of the Bajrang Dal intervened in what they described as a brazen attempt at "love jihad" involving a local Muslim youth and a Hindu girl. The youth, identified as Syed Betageri, was allegedly trying to coerce the girl into a relationship with intentions of conversion, according to activists and eyewitnesses.
The incident unfolded around 7 PM near a busy intersection on Gokul Road, a bustling commercial stretch in the heart of Hubballi, known for its mix of residential and shopping hubs. Sources close to the matter revealed that the 22-year-old Hindu girl, a college student from a nearby neighborhood, had been befriended by Betageri, 25, over the past few months through social media. Bajrang Dal workers, who were patrolling the area as part of their routine vigilance drive against interfaith romantic entanglements, spotted the pair in what appeared to be a heated argument.
Eyewitnesses reported that Betageri was seen arguing aggressively with the girl, who looked distressed and was pleading to be left alone. "He was pressuring her to elope and convert, saying it was the only way their 'love' could work," said a Bajrang Dal activist who wished to remain anonymous. The group, led by local coordinator Ravi Kumar, quickly surrounded the scene, separating the two and escorting the girl to safety at a nearby Bajrang Dal office.
The girl, whose identity is being withheld for privacy, was handed over to her family shortly after. Her relatives expressed gratitude to the activists, claiming they had been unaware of the full extent of the relationship until the rescue. "We are thankful to Bajrang Dal for protecting our daughter from this trap. This is a clear case of love jihad, where innocent girls are targeted for conversion," the girl's father told reporters outside the Gokul Road police station.
Syed Betageri was detained by the activists and later handed over to the Gokul Road police. No formal charges have been filed yet, but police sources indicated that a case under sections related to harassment and potential abduction could be registered based on the girl's statement. Betageri, a resident of a nearby locality and reportedly employed at a local garage, denied the allegations, claiming it was a consensual friendship that had soured. "I never forced her into anything. This is being blown out of proportion by these groups," he said while being taken into custody.
The episode has reignited debates over "love jihad," a controversial term used by Hindu right-wing groups to describe alleged plots by Muslim men to convert Hindu women through marriage or relationships. Critics, including local minority leaders, condemned the Bajrang Dal's intervention as vigilantism, urging police to handle such matters through legal channels rather than mob justice. "Interfaith relationships should be a personal matter, not fodder for communal agendas," said Abdul Rehman, a community elder.
Hubballi, a city with a history of communal flare-ups, saw a heavy police deployment in the Gokul Road area to prevent any escalation. Senior officers appealed for calm, assuring a thorough investigation. The Bajrang Dal, meanwhile, hailed the rescue as a success of their "Hindu protection" initiatives and announced plans for awareness campaigns in the region.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragile communal harmony in North Karnataka, where personal relationships often intersect with broader socio-religious tensions. Further updates are awaited from the police.
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