By TCN News,
New Delhi: Different civil society groups have condemned the propaganda of the Hindutva forced on purported ‘Love jihad’.
In a statement issued, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) “deplored demonizing of Muslim” in the name of ‘Love Jihad’, which according to them, is being spread by the saffron brigade with the intention of disturbing peace between Muslims and Hindus in the country.
SDPI national president A. Sayeed in a statement said that the theory of “Love Jihad”, which is propounded by such groups is a mere concoction and has no supportive evidence. It said such false propaganda, only creates mistrust and suspicion amongst members of different religious communities, leading to a fractured society.
Sayeed said that there is no data or evidence to even suggest that such a conspiracy of ‘Love Jihad’ exists. He wondered why media played along the politicians and are creating furore over inter-faith marriages, but remain mute when Dalits and other backward castes people are subjected to oppressions or even murdered – or they commit suicide – due to coercions for marrying in higher castes.
He questioned the hype over the issue and criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Hindutva affiliates who have been fanning communal issues for electoral benefits, particularly in Western Uttar Pradesh. He said that the politics in the name of religion of Sangh Parivar operates to crush the rights of women.
Peace Foundation, an organisation of Patna’s Muslim intellectuals, also condemned the propaganda of ‘love jihad’. Naushad Ansari, Secretary of the foundation, said that the marriages of young boys and girls belonging to two different communities are not a new trend. In most of such cases either boy or girl changes their religion.
Indian constitution allows marriages between two mature boys and girls. These have been personal matters and rarely became a communal issue. “But in recent past such interfaith marriages are being given the name of ‘love jihad’ with the purpose of polarizing Indian society for political mileage., without realizing that it is endangering communal harmony and peace in the country,” he added.