Home Minister V S Acharya calls meeting with senior police officers after high court orders look into the phenomenon; says Muslim men are luring hundreds of women into marriage, for conversion
Home Minister V S Acharya calls meeting with senior police officers after high court orders look into the phenomenon; says Muslim men are luring hundreds of women into marriage, for conversion
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In response to a high court order to investigate a phenomenon called 'love jihad,' which allegedly involves Muslim men pretending to fall in love with women of other religions to convert them, Home Minister V S Acharya has called an emergency meeting with senior police officers.
Calling it a serious issue, Acharya told media-persons that 'love jihad' was to be found not only in Kerala, where the police had confirmed the phenomenon to a court, but also in the state, especially in north Karnataka.
"There are hundreds of cases reported in Raichur and other districts, and this is a matter of serious concern," he said. "The meeting is a follow-up of the high court directive."
Conspiracy theory
The home minister said the issue was a sensitive one, and the alleged conspiracy by a minority group to lure girls from other communities and forcibly convert them after their marriage with a member of the group "may have ramifications for national security."
Acharya said that as directed by the high court, the state government would attempt to understand and deal with the issue.
He also said that he had sent a letter to the Kerala Government requesting cooperation, since those involved in these cases were spread beyond state borders.
No forcing anybody
"We will tread carefully. Under the Constitution, nobody can force a girl in matters of marriage or choice of life partner," Acharya said.
Director-General of Police Ajai Kumar Singh said the department was yet to receive the high court order.
"We do not want to interfere in the private lives of individuals, but are concerned about the girls whose lives are being spoiled," Acharya said. "Reports suggest that girls are lured into marriage, converted and then abandoned."
He said there were reports that such conversions were happening systematically in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
"I have asked the officers concerned to take stock of the situation," he said. "The Monday meeting will review the situation to take up precautionary measures."
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