Bareilly- In a shocking incident that has ignited widespread condemnation, a first-year BSc Nursing student's birthday celebration at a cafe in Bareilly spiraled into violence when self-styled Gau Rakshaks and right-wing activists stormed the venue, accusing two Muslim male attendees of "love jihad." The assault, which unfolded on December 27, in the Premnagar area, left the group traumatized and exposed glaring inconsistencies in initial police response. Following viral videos and intense social media backlash, Bareilly police registered an FIR against the perpetrators on December 28, marking a swift reversal from their earlier action against the victims.
The party, hosted by a nursing student from Badaun district at a local restaurant under the Premnagar police station jurisdiction, was meant to be a joyful gathering for nine classmates, five women and four men, including two Muslim youths. Eyewitness accounts and viral footage describe a peaceful start: friends cutting cake, laughing, and enjoying the evening. But chaos erupted when a mob of 20-25 individuals, led by known cow vigilante Rishabh Thakur and Deepak Pathak, barged in around 8 PM, raising slogans and hurling Islamophobic slurs.
"They suddenly arrived during the birthday party and began accusing us of love jihad," the host recounted in a widely shared video statement. "They barged into my birthday party and assaulted my friend. There were only two Muslims present, while most of the guests were Hindus. The attackers started accusing my friends of 'Love Jihad'. They tried to harass and snatch my phone. We were helpless for some time." The mob physically assaulted one Muslim boy, causing injuries, and attempted to manhandle the female host, with videos capturing police officers tussling with her amid the melee.
Initial police intervention appeared biased. Police acted smartly and took a complaint from the cafe owner instead of the women of the other victims, owing to which major BNS sections got averted. The right-wing intruders, were reportedly "gently persuaded" and allowed to leave without immediate repercussions. A preliminary investigation cleared the group of any objectionable conduct, yet the petty charges persisted until public outrage forced a rethink.
Buoyed by the online furor, Bareilly police filed FIR No. 532/2025 late on December 28 under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Bareilly SP (city) Manush Pareek said, "We've identified those seen attacking inside the cafe, and an FIR has been registered under BNS sections 333 (house trespass), 115-2 (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (intentional insult...), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 191 (rioting). We've sought a reply from the SHO on why no action was not taken against them."
A departmental inquiry has been initiated against the SHO, police said, adding that "claims of love jihad were found to be untrue". This development comes as a relief to the victims, who faced not just physical harm but also communal vilification. Shailendra Gangwar, the owner of Bareilly Cafe, where miscreants barged in, disrupting the birthday of a nursing student, said that since the incident took place, I have no business, please are in fear of coming to my cafe. Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal's Bareilly Mahanagar Convenor Ketanand Gaud stated that Rishabh Thakur was relieved of all duties in Bajrang Dal as early as December 14. In such circumstances, if any controversy arises at his personal level, it will have no connection whatsoever with Bajrang Dal. " We cannot retain in the organization a person who fails to conduct themselves in accordance with its principles. In the future, if he becomes involved in any incident or dispute, the organization will bear no responsibility for it."
You can also join our WhatsApp group to get premium and selected news of The Mooknayak on WhatsApp. Click here to join the WhatsApp group.