Bajrang Dal burns effigy of Aamir Khan in Bihar, alleges 'love jihad'

 PATNA: Bajrang Dal workers staged a protest in Forbesganj area of Bihar’s Araria district, burning an effigy of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and alleging “love jihad” over reports about his relationship with Gauri Spratt.

Protesters wearing saffron scarves raised slogans against the actor and accused him of “repeatedly marrying Hindu women.”

Bajrang Dal leader Manoj Soni, in a video statement, said the actor’s personal choices were “an insult to Hindu society” and demanded government intervention. “Why does he always find love among Hindu women? Why not within his own community?” Soni asked.

A woman protester also said, “If he were a true Muslim, he would marry Muslim women.”

The remarks drew criticism online, with civil rights advocates saying marriage between consenting adults is a personal matter protected under the Constitution and the Special Marriage Act. Legal experts noted no law bars interfaith marriages.

Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt, who has Anglo-Indian, Tamil-British, Punjabi and Irish ancestry, have not responded to the allegations. No legal action has been announced.

The term “love jihad” is used by Hindutva groups to allege organised conversion through marriage, a claim critics say lacks evidence and fuels communal tension.

Muslim leaders reject ex-IAS officer’s call to hide identity to avoid mob attacks

Muslim scholars, political leaders and activists have strongly criticised former Indian officer Niaz Khan for suggesting that Indian Muslims should change their traditional attire to avoid mob violence.

In a post on X, Khan said many lynching victims were identifiable by kurta, pyjama, beard and cap, and suggested Muslims adopt dress styles like those in Turkey so their religious identity is not immediately visible.

Muslim scholar Tauqeer Nizami rejected the advice, saying, "Muslims have never hidden their identity and they will not hide it in the future." He said the responsibility lies with authorities to stop attackers, not with victims to change how they dress.

Congress MLA Arif Masood said India's Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to choose their attire and live without fear of discrimination.  Delhi-based social worker Iqbal Ahmed accused Khan of "placing responsibility on those who suffer" instead of demanding justice.