File photo of Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.
‘Love Jihad’ is a conspiracy theory promoted by right-wing groups under which they claim that Muslim men ‘forcibly convert’ women of other religions under the ‘guise’ of love.
- News18.com New Delhi
- Last update: November 22, 2020 8:22 AM IST
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After several BJP-ruled states said legislation against “love jihad” was in place, Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister and Congress Leader, Bhupesh Baghel, responded by asking whether Saffron party members who had inter-religious marriages would enter into the scope of said laws.
‘Love Jihad’ is a conspiracy theory promoted by right-wing groups under which they claim that Muslim men ‘forcibly convert’ women of other religions under the ‘guise’ of love.
“Family members of various BJP leaders are also married to other religions. I ask the BJP leaders if these marriages fall within the definition of ‘love jihad.’ he said.
Previously, Rajasthan Prime Minister Ashok Gehlot had criticized the ‘love jihad’ controversy and accused the BJP of “fabricating” the phrase to divide the nation along communal lines. He said that marriages, including interreligious unions, were a matter of personal freedom and that any laws to stop them would not go to court.
“Love Jihad is a word manufactured by BJP to divide the Nation and disturb community harmony. Marriage is a matter of personal freedom, bringing a law to stop it is completely unconstitutional and will not be upheld in any court of law. Jihad has no place in love, ”Gehlot had said on Twitter.
He said the measure seemed like a ploy to disrupt community harmony, fuel social conflict and ignore constitutional provisions, such as the state not discriminating against citizens for any reason.
The congressional leaders’ comments come amid plans in four BJP-ruled states – Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka – to ban what the Bharatiya Janata Party and the respective heads of government call “love jihad.” .
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