Kochi, Jan 16: Kicking up a debate, an influential Catholic Church in Kerala has said "Love Jihad is a reality" and alleged that scores of women from Christian community from the southern state were being lured into the trap of Islamic State and used in terror activities.
The synod of Syro-Malabar Church, an apex body of Catholic Bishops chaired by Cardinal George Alencherry, also accused the state police of not viewing the matter cautiously and taking timely action in 'Love Jihad' cases.
Denying the charges, the Popular Front of India (PFI) questioned the "timing" of the statement and urged the Church to withdraw it immediately "as it would only help create division amid growing unity among various sections of society against Hindutva Fascism."
The Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) welcomed the Church statement and called for a united fight against 'Love Jihad' in Kerala Society.
An official of the Kerala State Women's Commission refused to comment, considering the sensitivity involved in the matter.
There was no immediate reaction from the police and government as well.
"There are circumstances in which Christian girls are killed in the name of Love Jihad in Kerala," the Synod has alleged in a statement issued through Syro-Malabar Media Commission here on Tuesday night, referring to the attacks against Christians across the world.
The Synod has termed as "shocking" the killing of Christians in Nigeria on Christmas day.
It is a matter of concern that Love Jihad is gaining grounds in Kerala putting in danger its social peace and communal harmony, the Synod said.
"It is a reality that 'Love Jihad' is happening in Kerala in a planned manner targeting Christian girls," it said.
The Synod, referring to a police record, said out of 21 people who were recruited into Islamic State terror outfit, half of them were converted from Christian faith and it should be an eye opener for the community.
Noting that unofficial accounts say many girls were being used in terror activities through Love Jihad, the Synod said it was a serious matter and such accounts state that Love Jihad is not only "in the imagination".
The Synod, however, said it was not assessing the 'Love Jihad' as an issue affecting the friendship between religions and urged the government to treat it as one related to law and order and not as a religious matter.
The Church demanded speedy action against the culprits involved in the 'Love Jihad.'
It also called for efforts to sensitise parents and children about the dangers of Love Jihad.
The PFI, often being accused of playing key roles in alleged 'Love Jihad' cases in Kerala, claimed that the state police, after conducting a thorough probe, had earlier submitted a report in the Kerala High Court, stating that there was no cases of 'Love Jihad' in the state.
"The Church is raising such a baseless allegation at a time when the minorities including Muslims and Christians and the people of Hindu community are in a joint fight against the Fascist government at the Centre.
Their untimely statement would only help divert the people's attention from the key issues that society is facing at present", PFI State President Naziruddin Elamaram told PTI.
Urging the Bishops to immediately withdraw the statement, he said, "I don't know what is their interest in making such a statement at this juncture."
Not a single Muslim community is holding 'Love Jihad' to increase the number of Muslims here, Elamaram claimed.
He, however, said there were instance of inter-religious marriages in Kerala in which Muslim girls marrying Hindu and Christian boys and Hindu and Christian girls selecting partners from the religions of their choice.
Such marriages cannot be termed as 'Love Jihad', he said.
Asked about the Bishops' allegations that Christian girls are targeted and recruited to Islamic State terror outift, the PFI leader said not a single Muslim organisation in India have recognised the Islamic State and such recruitments should not be seen as part of a 'jihad' as doubts prevail in minds on who created the IS.
Former president of the VHP, SJR Kumar claimed that 'Love Jihad' exists in Kerala society.
He alleged that there were centres in Kerala to "convert Hindu and Christian girls who are being lured into the trap of love by youths with criminal backgrounds".
"We have brought this issue into the attention of the Kerala society much earlier. But nobody listened to us.
Now, we are happy that the Bishops have realised the threat of Love Jihad. It is the time of a joint fight against this menace," Kumar told PTI.
He also alleged that Muslim men trap Hindu and Christian women into marriage and forcing them to convert to Islam.
"The converted Hindu and Christian girls are being used in drug trafficking and terrorism," Kumar said.
Comments
Congratulations Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College for their Annual Day & a successful event.
We need to bring about unity within all the religions.
We should focus on educating our youth & children to become the leaders of tomorrow.
1 muslim MLA is equal to 100 vokkaligas MLAs. That is why they are scared to give many seats....
Blaming others no use. Our community should take interest to address this major issue by encouraging and supporting the students to join the civil service courses. Giving speech and words do not solve this issue. Congratulation Melkar Womes College management for imparting quality education for the rural female students.
The main problems here not only from Government side!! Muslims have to blame for this!! In Muslims community you can find enough qualified candidates for all those field which mentioned above, but Muslims men after graduating immediately applying for Gulf country, ladies they even for the secure job are not allowed to join, I discuss this matter with many my Muslim friends their opinion same. Muslim organization should bring awareness among their community in this matter, encourage ladies to do the job where they feel safe.
Nothing going to happen. What happened much published Sachar commission report??????
These so called leaders only talk talk talk, ..... the news and photographs appears in the newspaper. Their job finished. please
don't waste others time
We all Hindustanis should come forward please do not count your Religious wise! count Human being wise! my dear great leader, yes sir you are correct, but you said all good do not blame Government or any other Institutions, ask your community get it compete come forward, awake up your citizens.
Just we discuss about Dakshina Kannada District called (Mangalore) very popular district in Great Karnataka, my dear count population wise, Financial wise, you said community almost Top in Top, but Education Wise, Back to Back, could you please Equalize it How many Educational Institutions running your Community??
First up all get it Educated and Competitive then Compete it up and come forward, Very Good Example at Present DK, DC, just learn from him He came from where? how he reached in this position?
My dearest brothers do not blame any one, Blame yourself.
\Try and Try until Success\"
Jai Hindustan
Jai Our Moodi Ji."
Rightly Said Mr riyaz khan well done for your effort to take up this issue. will take up this issue and will fight for our rights in our society.
yes it s true Muslim's are getting less opportunity in SC, we have most talented and well eligible qualified persons in our community still no opportunity for us, India govt should Provide 75% govt seat to us.
Melkar College doing good job by calling guest as our most loved persons. Abdul Riyaz Khan, Abdul Rauf Puthige, SM Farooq, SM Rashid Haji. Most Precious Diamond of our community
well done sir Abdul Riyaz Khan, this people are like pearl of our community, always leading our community in front.
yahh its a major problem in india, Riyaz khan well done for raising voice against this discrimination. all muslim should get united and protest against this.
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