Sikh cop who saved Muslim man's life faces death threats, sent on leave
The Sikh police officer who saved the Muslim man said: "I was just doing my duty"
(Web Desk) – An Indian Sikh cop who had saved a Muslim man from a furious lynch mob has received death threats and been forced to go on leave.
A clip showing Gagandeep Singh, an officer in the northern state of Uttarakhand, saving a man accused of attempting to convert his Hindu girlfriend to Islam went viral this week after being shared on social media.
The Muslim man was visiting a temple with his Hindu girlfriend when the mob surrounded him and tried to attack, accusing him of "love jihad". The term has been popularised by radical Hindu fringe groups who accuse Muslim men of participating in a conspiracy to turn Hindu women from their religion by seducing them.
The Sikh police officer who saved the Muslim man said: "I was just doing my duty. Even if I was not in uniform, I would have done the same thing and every Indian should do the same."
"If the issue is saving the life of a person, religion should not come in the way. I would have failed in doing my duty if I would not have saved him," he added.
However it did not take long for people to criticise Mr Singh s actions, accusing him of defending "indecent behaviour".
Police officials working with him have said that he has received threats to his life, and has been sent on leave.
