The ongoing communal tensions in Purola town in Uttarkashi stems from allegations that two men allegedly tried to kidnap a 14-year-old Hindu girl last month. Jitendra Saini and Ubed Khan were arrested on May 26 and booked under the POCSO Act.
Soon after, local Hindutva groups alleged this was a case of “love jihad”. After they led out a rally, ransacked shops, and told Muslim shop owners to leave, at least 41 Muslim families left the town.
