Imagine your younger sister or daughter befriending someone online, only to find out later that the boy was part of a gang that preys on innocent women.
Bhopal, a city in Madhya Pradesh, has seen a rise in cases where young men, often from minority communities, befriend women on social media platforms, gain their trust, and then use coercion or manipulation to exploit them.
The Modus Operandi
These gangs, known as ‘love jihad’ gangs, work on the principle of gaining the trust of their victims through emotional manipulation and blackmail.
Once they have their victims in their clutches, they use coercion, threats, and intimidation to get them to do their bidding.
Victims have reported being forced to perform tasks that are demeaning and degrading, and some have even been forced into prostitution.
These gangs often use the promise of love and affection to lure their victims into their trap, but the reality is far from romantic.
Experts say that these gangs are highly organized and well-funded, and have been operating in Bhopal for several years.
They add that the victims are often young women who are vulnerable and easily exploited.
Expert Context
According to experts, the rise of ‘love jihad’ gangs in Bhopal is a symptom of a larger problem – the exploitation of women in Indian society.
They say that women are often seen as commodities, rather than as individuals with agency and autonomy.
Experts add that the government needs to take a stronger stance against these gangs and ensure that women are protected from exploitation.
As one expert puts it, ‘The government needs to wake up to the reality of the situation and take concrete steps to protect women from these gangs.’
Only then can we ensure that women in India are able to live their lives with dignity and respect.