Nueva Delhi: Maharashtra’s prime minister, Devendra Fadnavis, defended the decision of the state government to form a committee to examine the legal options against the “jihad of love.” He said that while interreligious marriages are not incorrect, they must address deceptive conversions through false identities.
“The Supreme Court has also recognized the reality of the Jihad of Love in its decision. Even in Maharashtra, we are seeing an increase in such cases. It is not bad for a person of a religion to marry one person from another religion. But marrying someone lying and showing a false identity is incorrect. These incidents are very serious and measures should be taken, ”said Fadnavis, as reported by the Ani news agency.
The Maharashtra government has established a panel of seven members to explore legal provisions on Forced conversions. Directed by the General Director of State Police (DGP), the Committee includes senior departments officials as law and judicial, development of women and children, minority issues, social justice, special assistance and initial matters. The panel will study similar laws in other states and recommend measures to address reported cases.
BJP leaders, including the Minister of the Union, Ramdas Athawale, have hosted the measure, asking for more strict laws to avoid religious conversions through coercion. “There should be a law against love jihad. The conversion of women is not right. Two young people from different religions that bind are normal, but girls should not become strong, ”said Athawale.
Maharashtra Minister, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, also expressed his support, claiming that the number of such cases has increased, particularly in Mumbai. He said that when he raised the problem at Vidhan Sabha, the Samajwadi Mla Rais Shaikh party opposed and even presented a judicial case against him. “Do you want to encourage yihad love?” Lodha questioned. He added that many cases were not informed and thanked Fadnavis for establishing the committee.
The government resolution (GR) established by the committee specifically mentioned ‘Love Jihad’ and described the responsibilities of the panel, which include examining the laws of other states, the management of complaints and developing legal frameworks, Toi had previously reported. The document indicated that the decision was based on the requests of public representatives, organizations and citizens seeking actions against forced conversions.
Fadnavis had previously indicated plans for such law when he was vice minister in 2023. He had declared that growing concerns about religious conversions through marriage He had caused demands for legal measures.
“There have been many cases that girls get married and become. There is a demand for all corners of making a law against this. Previously, I had also made an ad in the house. Consequently, the study of the laws in several states is underway and then the decision will be made in this regard in Maharashtra, ”he said at that time.
