Visuals of a team of Kerala police officials forcibly separating a Muslim woman from her Hindu fiancé just before their wedding ceremony has gone viral on social media.
According to reports, Alfia, a resident of Kayamkulam, and Akhil, from KS Road in Kovalam, met through social media and were in a relationship, They decided to get married and Alfia and arrived in Kovalam. Alfia clarified that she came with Akhil of her own free will. The girl had told the Kovalam police station on Friday that she was not ready to go with her family. It is said that their families engaged in a discussion mediated by the Kovalam Police Station Sub-Inspector and a Ward Member. Alfia was granted permission to be with Akhil, as per her wishes. Despite that, a missing complaint was lodged at the Kayamkulam police station on Saturday by Alfia’s family.
The couple had planned to exchange their vows on 19 June 2023 at Sri Madan Thampuran Temple in Malavila Panamoot, KS Road, Kovalam. However, their joyous moment was disrupted when a police team from Kayamkulam abruptly arrived at the temple and forcefully separated Alfia from Akhil.
— महारथी-മഹാരഥി (@MahaRathii) June 18, 2023
Alfia was subsequently taken to the Kovalam police station, where Akhil and his relatives later arrived. Despite Alfia’s expressed desire to be with Akhil, the Kayamkulam Sub-Inspector and his team disregarded her wishes and forcibly took her away and was allegedly subjected to verbal abuse.
When Alfia was brought to the Magistrate in Kayamkulam, she made it clear that she wished to go with Akhil.
The situation raises concerns about the double standards employed by the police, as it is speculated that if the genders were reversed (a Muslim boy and a Hindu girl), the authorities would have likely permitted the marriage to proceed without intervention.
Meanwhile, a protest has emerged against the Sub-Inspector who entered the temple with his boots on. Temple management has intended to file a formal complaint regarding this matter.
Following intervention by the court, Alifa has been given relief and will be marrying Akhil tomorrow.
Update: Following court intervention, Alfiya to live with Akhil
There was wide spread protest against highhandedness of police from Kayamkulam https://t.co/PtQ4ylyDTM pic.twitter.com/MtULNIE0Ge
— HKupdate (@HKupdate) June 19, 2023
(With inputs from Janam TV and News 18 Kerala)
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