Bareilly,  28 Dec

A birthday party at a restaurant in Bareilly was disrupted on Saturday night after a group of right-wing activists alleged ‘love jihad’, following which police fined two Muslim youths and a staff member of the establishment for disturbing public peace.

The incident occurred in the Prem Nagar area of Bareilly when a first-year BSc Nursing student hosted a birthday party attended by nine friends  five women and four men. Two of the male attendees, identified as Shan and Waqif, are Muslims.

Police said members of a right-wing organisation reached the restaurant after learning that Muslim youths were present at a party hosted by a Hindu woman. The activists disrupted the celebration, raised slogans and accused the youths of ‘love jihad’.

Following information, police personnel from Prem Nagar police station arrived at the spot and took the student and others to the station for questioning. One of the Muslim youths was briefly detained, while the other initially left the scene.

Station House Officer Raj Bali said the student, who stays at a hostel in Prem Nagar and studies at a private nursing college, had organised the party for her friends. He said her relatives, including an aunt residing in the same area, were informed, along with the families of others present at the gathering.

Police initially issued challans for breach of peace against Shan and restaurant staffer Shailendra Gangwar. Later, after tracing the second youth, Waqif, police issued challans to all three.

Circle Officer First Ashutosh Shivam said the situation was under control and no further action was being taken.