Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that “Love Jihad” is a social evil and a law is necessary to deal with it. He said that the state government is considering to bring a law against religious conversion for the sake of marriage.
While speaking to reporters, Bommai said “Some organizations are misleading the youth, converting them by marrying them. This phenomenon is being seen in all states in the last seven-eight years in a big manner throughout the country”
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa also announced that his government has a tough stance towards this matter and will take stern measures towards ending what is known as love jihad.
Before CM made the official announcement, BJP leader, CT Ravi has already pointed towards the fact that there is a serious need of bringing a law to ban religious conversion.
“On lines of Allahabad High Court’s order, Karnataka will enact a law banning religious conversions for the sake of marriage… Anyone involved in the act of conversion shall face severe and swift punishment (sic),” he said in a tweet.
The Allahabad High Court has issued an order on October 31 that states the religious conversion done for the marriage purpose illegal. The court made the observation while rejecting a petition filed by an inter-faith couple seeking directions to the police and the girl’s father not to interfere in their married life.
Haryana and Madhya Pradesh are also planning to bring such law to check religious conversions, as has been promised by Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Love Jihad is a term used when Muslim men lure young girls with money or love and convert their religion. While the term is not officially recognized and is not defined in law also, it has been a menace in many parts of the country.
