Members of the Hindu Yuva Vahini founded by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath barged into a house and allegedly roughed up a Muslim man and a woman belonging to another faith after they were found together. Yogi Adityanath had recently instructed police not to harass "innocent" couples after some unsavoury incidents involving anti-Romeo squads.
Police said the youth brigade created a ruckus after some local residents informed them that the man had called the woman to his friend's rented accommodation. The activists told police that the two were allegedly found in an objectionable position.
While the woman was released after warning, the man, who is a resident of Muzaffarnagar, was booked on charges of obscenity, they said.
Earlier, based of Hindu Yuva Vahini’s allegations police halted the prayer in a church which was attended by around 100 people, including American tourists. "Police wale 'Altar' par chadh gaye, Bible bhi le gaye," Pastor Y Adam told ANI. (Police officials go on the altar took away the Bible) "Humara ek friend apne foreign doston ko church dikhane laye the," he added. (One of our friend had got his friends from another country to the church)
Though, Hindu Yuva Vahini claimed that the prayer meeting was a “cover” for religious conversion, police investigation proved otherwise. "There was no religious conversion, only prayers. We told the church authorities that that they should have informed us that foreigners are visiting the area," SP P Kumar told ANI. The Americans were also asked to leave after verifying their documents.
Maharajganj is often visited by tourists on their way to Nepal. It is the first time that such an allegation has been levelled against the British-era church.
With inputs from agencies
