Fadnavis suspects ‘design’ behind ‘love jihad’ cases, plans legal remedy

Replying to a Calling Attention Motion by BJP MLC Gopichand Padalkar in the legislative council, Fadnavis said that the state government had taken serious cognisance of the sentiments of people who were participating across the state in rallies held by the Hindu Jan Jagruti Morcha.

Mumbai: While clarifying that his government had no opposition to interfaith marriage by mutual understanding, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday declared that “prima facie” there was a design behind the alleged ‘love jihad’ cases in the state. He announced that the state government was thinking of a legal solution for this and would take a final decision soon.

Mumbai, India - March 23, 2023: Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane and State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule along with party activists protest against love jihad, demand implementation of restrictions against it and extend support to minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha’s decision outside the Vijaydurg Bungalow, Nariman Point, in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, March 23, 2023. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo) (HT PHOTO)

Replying to a Calling Attention Motion by BJP MLC Gopichand Padalkar in the legislative council, Fadnavis said that the state government had taken serious cognisance of the sentiments of people who were participating across the state in rallies held by the Hindu Jan Jagruti Morcha. “Thousands of people attended the rallies,” he said. “Clearly, there is unrest over the issue of ‘love jihad’ in the state. It is the duty of the government to take cognisance of this and take proper action since the majority of people have expectations from us.”

The deputy chief minister added that the term ‘love jihad’ was first used by Christian priests from Kerala, and it ought not to be mixed up with ordinary mixed-faith marriages. “There is no question of opposing interfaith marriages which are entered into by mutual understanding,” he told the council. “But at the same time, it has been found that there are many cases of forcible interfaith marriage and conversion. Prima facie, there is a design behind the alleged ‘love jihad’ cases. The state government is thinking of bringing in a legal solution for this and will take a final decision soon. The new law will be within the constitutional framework.”

Fadnavis said there were provisions in the existing law to prevent or take action against forcible interfaith marriage or conversion. “The government will examine the laws made by other states against ‘love jihad’ and will come out with new legal solutions to take action against forcible interfaith marriage,” he declared.

Referring to the controversial Interfaith Marriage Committee set up by the state government, the deputy CM said that it did not supersede any existing law. “The scope and purpose of the committee is to connect with the family of girls to prevent a case like that of Shraddha Walker whose parents couldn’t contact her,” he said.

BJP MLCs Padalkar and Pravin Darekar demanded that the state government bring a new anti-conversion, anti-love jihad act while Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab demanded immediate action by the police in complaints filed about ‘missing girls’. Replying to Parab, Fadnavis said that the police would be sensitised, and soon a Standard Operating Procedure would be issued for taking timely action in cases where parents complained that their daughters were missing or cheated in ‘love jihad’ cases.