Maharashtra to have 'love jihad' law? Fadnavis govt sets up committee

Mumbai: The Devendra Fadnavis-led MahaYuti-NDA government has formed a committee headed by the Director General of Police to look into the various aspects, including legal and technical issues, vis-a-vis framing of a law on 'love jihad' in Maharashtra -- a development that triggered criticism from the opposition.

The seven-member committee would be headed by the state DGP as its Chairperson.

The six other members include officials from the Women and Child Welfare Department, Minorities Welfare Department, Law and Judiciary Department, Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, and the Home Department.

The notification was signed by Hemant Mahajan, Deputy Secretary of the Home Department on Friday evening.

The development coincides with the meeting between Fadnavis and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

“….elected representatives (sitting and former), various organisations and citizens had made representations to the state government seeking enactment of legislation to curb Love Jihad and forced conversions in the state. Some of the states have already enacted laws. A special committee has been established to study the present situation and suggest measures to curb Love Jihad, forced conversions and conversions done through cheating,” the GR/notification reads.

However, the decision has sparked a sharp reaction from opposition parties.

Maharashtra Samajwadi Party President Abu Azim Azmi said the decision is arbitrary and a restriction on freedom. “We have no objections; they can make whatever law they want. Muslim boys are also converting to Hinduism, and Muslim girls are marrying Hindus. The Constitution grants this right. They are interfering as they please—what can we do about it?,” he said.

Many BJP legislators and ministers have been pushing for enactment of a law on 'love jihad' in Maharashtra on the lines of other states like Uttar Pradesh.

'Love jihad' is a term often used by Right-wing activists and outfits to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to convert Hindu women to Islam through marriage - and in Maharashtra over the past couple of years several rallies against 'love jihad' have been held.