Patna: Reports of harassment targeting Muslims in states ruled by the BJP and its allies continue to draw attention, with another incident surfacing from Bihar where a Muslim woman was allegedly humiliated by a group of men after she was seen travelling with a male companion.
The incident occurred in Nawada district and came to light after a video circulated widely on social media on July 8. The footage showed the woman being forced to remove her niqab, while her companion was allegedly coerced into applying sindoor on her forehead as the pair travelled on a motorcycle.
As the video spread online, claims emerged that the man belonged to a different religious community, prompting police to investigate. Officers traced the motorcycle through its registration records, identified both individuals and verified other available evidence.
The investigation concluded that the man and woman belonged to the same community and had been in a relationship for some time. Police found that they were travelling together with mutual consent when they were intercepted and harassed by a group described as anti-social elements.
Following the investigation, police registered an FIR and identified those allegedly involved in the incident. A few suspects have since been arrested, while further investigation is continuing.
The incident has once again drawn attention to repeated reports of Muslims facing intimidation and harassment by self-styled vigilante and Hindutva-linked groups, particularly over personal choices and social interactions, with videos of such incidents frequently spreading on social media before police intervention.