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Muslim Defence Force

Gauhar Khan

to Bajrangis

andself-styled as thehas sent out messages warning both men and women of ‘un-Islamic’ activitiesThe moral policing debate warmed up when model-turned-actresswas slapped by an audience member on a musical reality show, recently. The man, identified as Akil Malik, justified his attack on Gauhar saying that being a Muslim woman, she should have dressed decently.The coastal belt of Karnataka which is known as a staunch Hindutva territory is seeing the rise of the Muslim fundamentalist. Suspected to be a small group active on social networking site Facebook and messenger service WhatsApp for at least a month, the 'Muslim Defence Force' is aggressively campaigning to “protect the Muslim girls studying in various colleges”.According to a working professional who received a message from this group: “I suspect that this was launched after a Muslim girl eloped with a Hindu bus conductor in Ullal. While Saffron organisations have always been vocal about Love Jihad, this group claims that they are fighting against Love Kesari, a campaign launched by Hindu outfits. Messages such as places to be raided or raids undertaken are often mentioned in the group. They have even requested people to unfriend boys of different religions on Facebook, all this in the name of 'protecting Muslim girls'." Most of the messages from the group are in Kannada.The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) state president Muneer Katipalla said, "This is a hate camp targeting educated youth.Ever since I expressed my opinion about it on Facebook, the FB page has been blocked.We will take up this issue with the police, “he said.Senior advocate and lecturer Asha Nayak said, “When I started teaching 25 years ago, there would be just two to three Muslim girls in a BCom class of about 80 students. Now the number has increased. There are batches where we have about 50 per cent Muslim girls. Education is first step towards progress and such acts will only hinder progress,” she said.Vidya Dinker, coordinator, Forum Against Atrocities on Women, said, “This is nothing but immoral goondaism that is being exhibited.We should oppose it in every aspect of our lives as it is getting more and more rampant. While we have Hindu fundamentalist forces doing the same, now we have Muslim fundamentalist forces following them."The Commissioner of Police, R Hitendra said, “We are in the process of registering a case. The help of Bengaluru Cyber Police will be sought to identify the people. A case will be booked under the IT Act as well as section 153 (A) of the IPC.”The Muslim Defence Force is ready for a legal battle. We will not attack good brothers. But we declare Jihad on ‘Saffron Love Sangha’. We will chop your hands and legs in case you are seen talking with Muslim women. We will attack even if they are your classmates. All student organisations must support this.We are aware that Muslim girls are bunking class and roaming in shopping malls of Mangalore. We will be forced to react against those going against the confidence of the family and crossing religious lines. We are expecting more support in the coming days.