NEW DELHI – An Indian Sikh cop who had saved a Muslim man from a furiouslynch mob has received death threats and been forced to go on leave.
A clip showing Gagandeep Singh, an officer in the northern state ofUttarakhand, saving a man accused of attempting to convert his Hindugirlfriend to Islam went viral this week after being shared on social media.
The Muslim man was visiting a temple with his Hindu girlfriend when the mobsurrounded him and tried to attack, accusing him of “love jihad”. The termhas been popularised by radical Hindu fringe groups who accuse Muslim menof participating in a conspiracy to turn Hindu women from their religion byseducing them.
The Sikh police officer who saved the Muslim man said: “I was just doing myduty. Even if I was not in uniform, I would have done the same thing andevery Indian should do the same.”
“If the issue is saving the life of a person, religion should not come inthe way. I would have failed in doing my duty if I would not have savedhim,” he added.
However it did not take long for people to criticise Mr Singh s actions,accusing him of defending “indecent behaviour”.
Police officials working with him have said that he has received threats tohis life, and has been sent on leave.