RUDRAPUR: An interfaith couple from Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand are anxious and desperate for security after their marriage notice under the Special Marriage Act (SMA) was leaked and then widely circulated on social media. The couple had earlier received six weeks of police protection following an order by Uttarakhand high court in Dec last year.
Mohammad Nazim (name changed), 22, who runs a salon in Bazpur, and 23-year-old Priti Gupta (name changed), a BCom student, submitted their marriage notice at the Bazpur sub-divisional magistrate’s court on Jan 7, as required under section 5 of SMA. However, their personal details, including photographs, were widely shared online, raising concerns over their safety as the posts urged people to report the “love jihadi”, protest and object to their union.
“Ever since our marriage notice went viral, it’s been terrible for us. I fear for my life,” said Nazim, whose family moved to Bazpur from Rampur district of UP in 2010.
The couple met through social media in 2018 and began dating in 2022. They decided to marry in 2023, but Priti’s mother opposed the relationship. “She told me I could marry him, but she would sever all ties with me. Now, she is under pressure from certain political and religious groups to file an objection against our marriage,” Priti told TOI on Wednesday.
Nazim alleged that members of Bajrang Dal have been stationed outside the SDM office, attempting to block their marriage. Meanwhile, Priti’s mother, with support from members of the right-wing organisation, has filed a complaint with the SDM, seeking her daughter’s return.
A Bajrang Dal representative from the area said, “The girl’s mother approached us for help to find her daughter. When their marriage notice went viral, we conducted our own inquiry. Later, we submitted a memorandum to the SDM, urging authorities to prevent the marriage. This is a clear case of love jihad.”
However, the couple has strongly denied allegations of religious conversion. “We have made our decision freely. I have informed the court and the SDM that I am acting on my own will,” Priti said.
On Dec 17 last year, a division bench of acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Pankaj Purohit had directed Uttarakhand police to provide six weeks of security to the couple. Though the mandated protection period has ended, police continue to monitor their safety.
“We are still providing security to the couple, and the status quo will be maintained until we submit a threat perception report to the court,” said Ashok Kumar, in charge of Kelakhera police station.
