A disturbing incident in Bhopal's Barkheda Pathani area has left one Hindu youth dead and two others seriously injured, exposing deep social tensions. The attack took place after a seemingly minor argument turned fatal when Faizan Baig stabbed 22-year-old Shyam More to death and injured two of his friends. The reason? Shyam had allegedly questioned Faizan about sitting with a Hindu girl in a public park. While some reports have suggested this may be a case of ‘love jihad’, the police have dismissed this angle.

The tragic event unfolded on July 10 when Shyam More and his two friends visited Ambedkar Park. At the same time, Faizan Baig, a second-year ITI student, was also in the park accompanied by his girlfriend—a Hindu girl. The three friends were seated on a nearby bench, laughing and chatting, when Faizan noticed them glancing toward him and his companion. Feeling they were mocking the couple, he called Shyam over. That simple act ignited a chain of events that would end in bloodshed.

According to initial accounts, when Shyam approached Faizan, the two got into an argument. Shyam questioned Faizan why he was with a Hindu girl. He accused Faizan of trapping Hindu girls in love jihad. Things escalated quickly. Enraged by the allegation, Faizan’s girlfriend allegedly slapped Shyam, and moments later, Faizan pulled out a knife from his pocket and stabbed Shyam More in a sudden and violent act.

As Shyam collapsed, his two friends, Sunil and Ajay, tried to intervene but were also attacked. All three victims were rushed to AIIMS Hospital in Bhopal. Sadly, despite medical efforts, Shyam died on Thursday night, July 12, 2025. The other two remain in serious condition, fighting for their lives.

One of the injured youths later recounted how they saw Faizan sitting in what they described as an "intimate posture" with his girlfriend. He stated that Shyam asked why Faizan had brought her there and accused him of indulging in Love Jihad, which provoked Faizan’s violent outburst.

However, Faizan has denied these allegations. In his statement to police, he offered a different version of events. According to him, Shyam was carrying the knife, and during the fight, Faizan managed to snatch it from Shyam and used it in self-defense. This claim is currently under investigation.

Police were quick to respond and arrested Faizan Baig. SHO Awadhesh Singh Tomar, who is leading the case, has stated that the girl’s role is also being investigated, especially since she was the one who slapped Shyam first. Authorities recovered the knife used in the stabbing, and charges against Faizan have now been upgraded from assault to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) after Shyam’s death.

While police have ruled out the love jihad angle, citing that both Faizan and the girl are adults and their families were aware of the relationship, the public sentiment tells a different story. The killing has ignited widespread anger among local residents, many of whom gathered outside Govindpura Police Station demanding swift justice. As reported by the Times of India, protestors expressed deep frustration and demanded strict action against Faizan Baig.

Shyam More, a young man working as a contract labourer at BHEL, lost his life in what started as a verbal confrontation but spiraled into deadly violence. Meanwhile, the entire city watches with anxious eyes as the police continue their investigation into this unsettling case.