By Kaveesha Fernando
LUCKNOW, India (CWBN)_ “Love Jihad” was trending on social media and international news websites this weekend following the filing of the first case in Uttar Pradesh under the controversial “Love Jihad” law on Saturday, alleging that a Hindu woman was being pressured into changing her religion at the hands of a Muslim man.
Uttar Pradesh approved the “Love Jihad’ order on November 24, threatening a 10-year jail term for anyone who converted another person to Islam through marriage. Marriages in which a woman converts to Islam to get married were also nullified under the order. The recent legislation is based on a theory that Muslim men aim to convert Hindu women by marrying them.
Radical Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister, is thought to have spearheaded the new laws, although the “Love Jihad” conspiracy theory has been around for several years. The minister has publicly criticised “Love Jihad” fairly regularly; one of the more recent instances was at a rally last month.
Heated social media debate reflected a country deeply divided with regards to the issue – one side alleges that Hindu women are being forcibly converted to Islam after marriage while the other side claims that the laws are preventing interfaith marriages and tolerance.
Popular Indian television journalist Barkha Dutt tweeted her criticism of the law last week, stating that what was needed was for people to discuss the issue faced by women in India with regards to marriage rather than passing the “Love Jihad” law. “I wish we would debate Patriarchy & Marriage- how women are expected to adjust, surrender, sacrifice, embrace change, compared to the man. Or that we’d discourage 18-year-olds from marrying instead of chasing a career or a larger dream. Instead this idiotic ‘Love Jihad” law,” she tweeted.
Echoing the opposite camp, controversial Indian actress Kangana Ranaut tweeted in support of the law this weekend. Sharing the news of the 15-year-old girl who was killed by a Muslim man in India, the actress stated that those who spoke against the “Love Jihad” law were also culpable. “Another day another beheading….. all those who defend love jihad and radical Islamic terrorism you all are criminal partners in these crimes. Not just these criminals you will also pay the price (…),” she tweeted.
Three other Indian states have also promised to bring about similar laws soon. Critics accuse the Indian government, headed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of using such measures to incite violence and expand their political base.
Edited by Elishya Perera
