The Maharashtra government has established a seven-member panel to investigate the legal framework for a possible law targeting forced religious conversions and incidents of “love jihad”.
The panel, led by the state Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjay Verma, comprises senior officials from important departments, including women and child welfare, minority affairs, law and judiciary, social justice, special assistance, and home.
A Government Resolution (GR) released late Friday states that the committee will recommend actions to address issues concerning forced conversions and “love jihad.” It will additionally examine current laws in various states and suggest legal measures.
The topic of love jihad, instances of Muslim men deceiving Hindu women to convert them, has been brought up by the BJP-led government in Maharashtra after the Shraddha Walkar incident. Walkar, a 27-year-old female from Maharashtra, was reportedly killed, and her remains were dismembered by her live-in boyfriend Aaftab Poonawala in 2022.
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The opposition has criticized the government’s choice to establish the committee, with NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Supriya Sule stating that “marriage or love is a matter of personal choice.”
Condemning the BJP, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi stated that the government was primarily concentrated on targeting Muslims and promoting communalism. “They support freedom for live-in relationships, yet they oppose interfaith marriages or conversions if someone over 18 wishes to pursue them.” “Azmi stated that love jihad does not exist.”
Congress leader Husain Dalwai claimed that forced conversions do not occur and that “love jihad” is a fabrication. “Democracy permits individuals to adhere to any faith.” Our nation is secular, yet certain individuals aim to undermine the foundation of our culture. Allow them to demonstrate how many instances of love jihad they have truly encountered. “The Congress leader stated, ‘These individuals aim to introduce Hitler’s culture into our nation.'”
Supporting the government’s action, BJP MLA Mangal Lodha stressed that “love jihad” incidents were rising throughout the nation.
