Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Sunday opposed the need for legislations that target interfa...
Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Sunday opposed the need for legislations that target interfaith marriages, saying that such laws would only create social hatred and polarise the society, reported PTI.
“An atmosphere of hatred and division is being created in the society in the name of ‘love jihad’,” Tyagi told reporters after the national executive meeting of the JD(U) in Patna. “Provisions of the Constitution and Criminal Code of Procedure give freedom to two adults to choose life partners of their choice irrespective of one’s religion, caste or region.”
Tyagi’s comments came a day after the Madhya Pradesh government became the latest state to approve a bill aimed to prevent forceful conversions for interfaith marriages. The legislation is referred to as “love jihad” law. “Love jihad” is a term used by Hindu right-wing groups to refer to an unproven conspiracy that Muslims are luring Hindu women into marrying them with the sole purpose of converting their brides to Islam.
The bill includes a maximum punishment of up to 10 years in jail and up to Rs 1,00,000 in fine, with the burden of proof virtually falling on the accused. Forced conversion of a minor, woman or a person from...
