Hubballi (Karnataka), April 3, 2026
Tension prevailed in Karnataka’s Hubballi on Friday, following allegations of “love jihad” involving a Muslim youth and a Hindu girl, which led to clashes between members of Hindu organisations and the boy’s family.
Tensions further intensified as members of Hindu organisations staged a protest outside the Old Hubballi police station, with hundreds of activists demanding strict action against the accused youth.
According to police, the youth, identified as Sameer, a resident of Vijayanagar and a gym trainer, was reportedly seen moving around with the girl, whom he had met at a gym.
Members of Hindu organisations intervened, alleging that the relationship was a case of love jihad. They took Sameer into their custody and handed him over to the Old Hubballi police.
The situation escalated when Sameer’s family members allegedly entered the girl’s house, accusing her family of kidnapping him and creating a ruckus. They are also alleged to have attempted an assault during the confrontation.
According to the police, the sequence of events began when the girl’s family reportedly approached Sameer’s house and questioned him about his association with their daughter. He was subsequently taken and handed over to the police by members of Hindu organisations.
In retaliation, Sameer’s family allegedly barged into the girl’s residence, leading to further confrontation between both sides. Several individuals from both families sustained injuries and were admitted to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi.
Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar visited the hospital and held discussions with both the families.
He said that no formal complaints have been filed so far and that both sides were at fault for taking the law into their own hands instead of approaching the police.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family rejected the allegations of ‘love jihad’, saying that the two had known each other for three years and were in a consensual relationship.
Sameer’s sister even challenged that she has a lot of photographs to prove that the Hindu girl was known to him for a long time and her family should not play the victim card.
The Hubballi city was tensed following Neha Hiremath, a student of KLE Technological University, who was stabbed to death on the college campus in April 2024.
The accused, identified as Fayaz, was reportedly known to her and had allegedly been harassing her after she rejected his advances.
The incident triggered huge protests, with some Hindu groups terming it a case of ‘love jihad’.
Police arrested the accused shortly after the incident and registered a murder case.(Agency)
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