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.
Sources in the special team of the SID handling the investigation ordered by the Maharashtra government said: “There is no case to be made out against the English-speaking preacher, except maybe the possible charge of hurting religious sentiments, but even that cannot be established from his speeches.”
Comments
Alhamdulillah.
Brother Naren And Viren
We can understand your Frustration.What to do Barking Dogs never bites like Our beloved GO SWAMI.
Try to learn about ISLAM before its too late...so that you can secure you life after Death.
Alhumdulillah Allah is great. Allah knows better how to protect his people and Religion.
Naik given clean shit ?
Chaddi logonko mirchi lage tho hum kya Kare Sanghi chaddi RSS medias were hiding now uriyuttada burnol hachi.........
allahu akbar
Karen and Viren.....dont watch much versions of zakir Naik.....ull change too........you better keep barking so we can have some time pass in CD... every morning.....
Allah is with the true person.....and now need to see what the barking media says.......
Allahu Akbar, After checking all his videos there may be chances of police department convert to Islam.
Naren must be happy in Singapore...... or losing night sleep..... Now this GOO ( human shit ) SAMI should be arrested for defaming innocent Dr Zakir Naik...... Naren wish you happy eid.....
Viren,
Even if the intelligence arrest him. What can they do...
They can deceive People like U to hate more
But Majority of them got what Zakir is preaching to reach the one GOD ...
Dont stay away from ONE GOD who created YOU , ME and all that exists .. U will be a loser in the end.
Learn who is WORTHY Of WORSHIP also NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI . it will stop hating others
AL HAMDULILLAH, Viren dont bark study islam from zakir dont go by on line, on line may you will get wrong information from Chaddi yahoodi jewish trying to bring bad name to islam, one thing who ever try to bring bad name to islam or hate islam ISLAM IS ISLAM god will defend no one can stop it, terrorism is Jewish culture islam will not support terrorism,
Hahaha. Maharashtra intelligence department is very shrewd. It knows how to trap thieves. Now it will say it cannot arrest. Once he comes to indian, then he will spend rest of his life in prison like abdul naser madani..
Alhamdulillah, Truth always wins. No matter Arnab or any other haters try to malign him.I think IRF should file a case against Times now and Arnab Go swami now, Its time to ban Times Now.
Most of the media is not publishing this news.All the haters of Dr. Naik please apply some Burnol to your A** so that you will get some relief.
Being an hindu. I have gone through many clips. But media showed only half truth. Which is dangerous. Dr naik only wanted hindu and muslims unite and love other. If this is wrong. Then i hate rss vhp...
They opened their own grave by bringing dr naik issue.
Al Hamdulillah....Allahu Akbar
Al Hamdulillah.. Allah is great.. Remember chelas and chaddis.. Dr. Zakir Naik has prayers from All Over the world Muslims.. In Sha Allah he will win because he preaches only n ONLY PEACE.. May Allah give him Afiyath.. Ameen..
Dear State Intteligence Dept. ,(Maharastra)
Please share your Investigation Report with Mr. Arnab Go-Bar Swami, Atleast we can Expect some wise sound from him rather than spiting venom in media.& Mr. Arnab Go-Bar Swami please get well soon.
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