Muslim Government Teacher Shot Dead in India Over Alleged ‘Love Jihad’ Promotion

A Muslim government primary school teacher was shot dead in Bijnor district of India’s Uttar Pradesh. The accused, a farmer, surrendered to police and claimed that the teacher was involved in promoting and supporting “love jihad.” Police, however, are also investigating whether the two men had any personal dispute behind the killing.

The 43-year-old teacher, Mr. Naushad Ahmed, was attacked on Tuesday afternoon while returning home from his workplace at a primary school in Purushottampur village. According to police sources, the assailant had been lying in wait. As soon as Mr. Ahmed arrived, the attacker opened fire at him and fled the scene on a motorcycle. Mr. Ahmed was taken to a nearby hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, where doctors declared him dead.

The accused, Mr. Gaurav Chaudhary, 32, is a farmer from Puranpur Garhi village. After the incident, he went to Najibabad police station and surrendered, handing over the country-made pistol allegedly used in the killing.

According to a report by Amar Ujala, Mr. Gaurav admitted to police that he had shot the teacher three times. During his surrender, he alleged that Mr. Naushad Ahmed had been actively promoting and encouraging “love jihad.”

Possible Motive and Police Investigation

Alongside the “love jihad” allegation, police are also investigating a personal dispute that occurred several days before the killing.

During the preliminary investigation, police learned that Mr. Gaurav Chaudhary’s family had a close relationship with a local Dalit family. A young woman from the Dalit family was reportedly in a romantic relationship with a local Muslim youth, and the two were recently seen together. After learning about the relationship, Mr. Gaurav informed both families. The two families subsequently assaulted and warned the young couple.

The young man later approached teacher Mr. Naushad Ahmed and told him about the incident. Four days before the killing, Mr. Ahmed allegedly slapped Mr. Gaurav in public at a local market, triggering a heated argument between the two.

Police are currently investigating both the accused’s “love jihad” allegation and the personal animosity reportedly stemming from the incident involving the slap.