Viral video shows Hindu family threatened over Muslim son-in-law

Kolkata: A viral video showing a group of men claiming to be BJP workers allegedly threatening a Hindu family in Narayanpur's Beraberi Ghoshpara area over their Muslim son-in-law has triggered a political controversy and sharp reactions on social media.The nearly three-minute video, which went viral on Friday, shows the men confronting an elderly Hindu resident in the courtyard of his house and demanding that his daughter and Muslim son-in-law leave the locality, allegedly claiming that their presence was "destroying the culture" of the Hindu neighbourhood. The men are also heard asking the family to ensure that the son-in-law "change his religion" if he wishes to continue staying there.The incident was reported from an area under Narayanpur police station in Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation's ward no. 2. Police said no formal complaint had been lodged till late Friday, but senior officers of the Bidhannagar commissionerate said legal action would be taken if a complaint was filed.According to local residents, the elderly couple's younger daughter married a Muslim man nearly 10 years ago and has been living with him at her parental home since then. Neighbours said there had been no known dispute involving the family over the years.In the viral video, one of the men is heard asking the elderly resident whether "namaz" was being offered inside the house. Another asks whether the daughter had "changed religion", before saying that "a Muslim family cannot stay in a Hindu locality" and alleging that "complaints" were coming from locals.When the elderly man asks what were the complaints, one of the visitors allegedly replies: "What if cows are slaughtered here? There is a temple nearby."The elderly resident is heard repeatedly saying that the family had been living there for a decade. His wife also says there is nobody else to look after the aged couple. One of the men then allegedly tells them that the son-in-law should convert his religion, adding: "Sanatan Dharma is the greatest religion. These things can no longer be tolerated. Our chief minister is also saying this. This is called love jihad."The men are also heard asking the Muslim son-in-law to meet them at a local party office.The incident triggered widespread criticism online, with many condemning the alleged intimidation of an interfaith couple and their family.State BJP chief spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said he was unaware of the incident and claimed no complaint had reached the party. "The family should approach the administration and inform the police about what exactly happened," he said.The family at the centre of the controversy remained largely silent amid mounting attention and reportedly avoided speaking publicly out of fear."The woman was married 10 years ago. They even have a nine-year-old son. There has been no problem ever. But suddenly on the day of Eid, some men came in and started asking questions. The man leading the questions and threats who claimed to be a BJP worker is also a distant relative of the same family," said a neighbour of the threatened family.