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
\Hindutva activists raid Thomas School...\" is wrong caption
It should be, \"Hindutva Goondas Attack Thomas school ....."
Why you call these raid, Raid can only be done by government servants.
This is called Gondagiri, what the hell police is doing, arrest them.
I think as per this English should be banned as the language belongs to England.
If learning or teaching was illegal they would've spoke to the head master, or filed a case against the school.
For muslims ARABIC is first language, its the mother of all language.
hahaha look at their face and their dressing style! Their presence itself shows they are uneducated goons.. Hardly one or two guys may be passed 7th standard. All poor hindu guys are running up and down in search of arabic classes and gowmootra.. Upper class are enjoying every position in all indutries.. Poor guys.. Lage Raho..
Hi all the people of Mangalore,
Who r these people who haven't seen the steps of school and wanna dictate what is to be taught and what not? There are education boards set up for all these purposes. Where is Mangalore heading? Who has brainwashed these people? First those people should be acted as per law who leads such goons irrespective of religion? How can U expect a place to develop when U don't have a mindset for broader vision and tolerance? Anyone who speaks against some party becomes Anti national!!!
V r giving more important to Cows than Humans. If people of Mangalore unite at such circumstances, then law cannot be taken into hands by any groups, irrespective of religion. It's high time that we unite against such shameful acts.
Expats including non-muslims in gulf countries would have craved for knowing Arabic in their childhood because they know that they can have edge over others and would have got better pay in gulf. These people do not understand this. They are struck with some bad mindset which makes them to oppose anything associated with Muslims. It is difficult to learn a language later in life especially Arabic.
Uneducated goons don't know the value of languages..... moreover why sanskritbis taught in school....
Go maataas are in need of these sons in Gujarat where dalits stopped work.....go and serve the Go.......let's see how many patriots nationals from chaddi Canara sena will go....
Saffron TERRORISTS, not activists.
Many non muslim working in ARAB AND ISLAM Country for job purpose they have to learn ARABIC language and also english is foreign language are going to stop english language in school or in colleges this SRS are un educated so they fight ....
Arabic is an international laungage spoke widely in many countries. There are many million Christians , jews and other non Muslims for whom Arabic is mother tongue. In every gulf countries lakhs of non Muslim join Arabic language courses to get promotion in their jobs. In Kerala there are non Muslim Arabic teachers. These narrow minded uneducated ravan sena are defaming our district and country by their criminal acts. Law should take stern action against these anti social elements
Nayig yenchina gottu Limbeda uppad
These SRS goondas should know that, it was not compulsory.... Those who do not want to learn, they are free to keep away.... so, what is the issue ????? Look at the Words , that are taught, which are useful in daily life... like bank, airport, box, gooda angadi.... these are useful to those work in Gulf.... Bopanna KSA can throw some light on this issue.... Those who are interested , let them learn, others can SHUT UP...
RSS IS ONLY GOOD FOR THESE TYPES OF THINGS...
LET THEM SAVE THEIR MATHA COW IN ROAD FIRST...
should have banged arabic preacher :
these teachers dont have any other work, small children hardly study their 6 subject... in between arabic and other language to their head.
this unpaid shiva sena activists dont know the value of learning new things.
Add new comment