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.
The ultimate goal of the BCCI is overall development of Beary community and thereby contributing to the growth of the nation, says Haji S M Rasheed, who was unanimously chosen the founder president of the elite body in its first formal meeting in which a large number of dignitaries took part.
Comments
Good Job, Wish you all the best. Hope receive a sincere and honesty service to the community..
Why not ???? Muslim Chamber of Commerce????? only bearys are muslims???
Well done Mr.S.M.Rasheed and team forming a unique Beary Chamber of Commerce & Industry in coastal Karnataka region.
I appreciate and applauds wholeheartedly for the noble work to the welfare and progress of our community.
All the best. May Allah bless the forum.
Masha Allah good initiative by community leaders. A consortium effort is always good for the common cause of the community. The forum must strive for interest free banking ,creating socials assets such as huge marriage halls for community the revenues of which could be shared between promoters and for community work . Muslim marriage
Congratulation to all BCCI office bearers and members.
This is the first time in D.K. and Udupi Dist a unique forum of Beary Chamber of Commerce and Industry formed.
May Bless the this forum and insha allah our community will get maximum benefit to alleviate their finance and social problems.
Masha Allah,timely move,Let community benefit from BCCI.
All the founders are committed social workers and connected with one or other philanthropic organization.
May Allah shower his blessings and success on this noble project
Aameen
Masha Allah very good initiative.
Though the name is Beary,i understand that it will lend support to Urdu speakers too.as there are other organisations like Beary Nikah Helpline and Beary Job Helpline where Bearys and Urdu speakers offer support and take support.In shaa Allah hope this organisation makes every needy muslim and Technocrat,Best businessmen scientists..same time a very good muslim Human.
A wonderful move by the elite Bearys. Hope BCCI will be play a crucial role in the overall development of Beary community.
it is better to name Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry than Bearys, i feel.
LATE BUT GOOD MOVE.
MASHA ALLAH
Masha allah good move by the business fraternity, Philanthropists and social workers to form chamber of commerce for the benefit of Muslim community to grow in the business field by guiding and sharing the expertise. It is better to be named as Muslim Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of this forum should be fulfilled. May Allah bless with every success. (Ameen)
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