Rajnath not aware of love jihad

No one will suffer injustice, asserts home minister

BJP leaders like Yogi Adityanath may be raking up the “love jihad” controversy ahead of the Uttar Pradesh by-elections, but Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said he has “no idea” about the issue. 

“Yeh hai kya. Humko nahi maloom (What is this? I don't know about it),” Singh told a press conference here when asked about his views on 'love jihad', which is being raised by BJP leaders especially in Uttar Pradesh.

“I have no idea,” Singh said to a volley of questions about the issue that has come to dominate the bypolls, as BJP leaders accuse Muslims of marrying Hindu girls and forcing them to convert.

The saffron leaders also issued statements asking Hindu girls to stay away from Muslims, even as activists and opposition leaders continue to raise concerns over their statements. To another question, Singh said the NDA government would not discriminate against anyone in the country based on religion. “Minorities should have faith in our government. We will ensure justice to everyone. Injustice will not happen to anyone,” he said.

At the press conference marking the NDA government’s 100 days in power, Singh discussed a series of issues before his ministry and expressed readiness to have dialogue with Maoists if they are prepared to give up violence. 

“In a democracy, you cannot say no to anybody who wants to talk but the bottom-line is that they should shun violence,” he said. On the possibility of talks with his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during the forthcoming Saarc  meeting in Nepal, Singh said talks could take place if the neighbours respond favourably to our concerns. 

The home minister also assured that the government is acting to tackle any possible security implications for India after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan by the year end, but refused to provide details. “However big the challenge is, we will face it boldly. I want to assure the people of the nation that there is no need to fear,” he said. 

Singh said the intelligence agencies are checking on the authenticity of the video purportedly released by Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, in which he announced the Indian cell of the terror outfit. 

“All Muslim organisations have condemned it. Everyone wants communal harmony and peace. Muslim organisations' outlook is very positive,” he said.