In a shocking case of what seems like agenda-driven misrepresentation, The New Indian Express has used an image of a Hindu family to illustrate a crime allegedly committed by a Muslim man in Kerala, sparking accusations of deliberate Hinduphobia and media malpractice.
The incident in question occurred in Chadayamangalam, Kollam, where 34-year-old Mohammed Sajeer Gafoor allegedly poured boiling fish curry on his wife Rejila Gafoor’s face after she refused to participate in black magic rituals prescribed by his Islamic spiritual guide (Ustad). According to police reports, Sajeer had visited a sorcerer in Anchal who gave him ashes and a plate, instructing him to perform certain rituals to resolve domestic issues.
When Rejila refused to apply the ash on her face and braid her hair as directed, stating she did not believe in witchcraft, her husband allegedly escalated the argument into violence. The victim sustained severe burns on her face and neck and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Anchal.
However, despite the clear Islamic identity of both perpetrator and victim, The New Indian Express chose to illustrate the story with a generic image showing a Hindu family, complete with visible bindi and other markers of Hindu identity. The image shows a distressed woman with a prominent bindi while a man stands nearby – a complete misrepresentation of the actual individuals involved in the case.
This misleading representation has sparked outrage on social media, with users accusing the publication of “disgustingly toxic levels of Hinduphobia and chicanery.” Many have pointed out the pattern of Hindu imagery being used to depict crimes committed by non-Hindus, thereby creating false perceptions about Hindu society.
Hindus are accused for every other crime committed by non-Hindus.
This is not journalism. This is fraud. https://t.co/FmbBBza0C6
— Sanjeev Newar | सञ्जीव नेवर (@SanjeevSanskrit) October 31, 2025
In Kerala, Mohd Sajeer poured boiling fish curry on wife Rejila Gafoor for refusing to follow his Ustad’s black magic tricks
Look at the image used by @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/R51zfSi8Hb
— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) October 31, 2025
In Kerala, Mohd Sajeer wanted to do black magic.
His wife Rejila Gafoor refused to participate.
Islamist Mohd Sajeer poured boiling fish curry on his wife.@NewIndianXpress reported the incident with an image showing Hindu family. pic.twitter.com/pxOm88rp5r
— Shashank Shekhar Jha (@shashank_ssj) October 31, 2025
The Chadayamangalam police have registered a case based on Rejila’s statement and are conducting investigations to apprehend Sajeer, who is currently absconding. Meanwhile, the media representation of the case has raised serious questions about editorial standards and the deliberate manipulation of imagery to suit particular narratives.
The image seems to have been deleted from their social media after public backlash.
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