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
ya kis ki hadiis lay kai ahyai hi. lanaat laanaat laanat ho Fatima a.s kay qatilu pai. maavya pai lanaat. yazeed par lanat aur ius ka chanay waloo pai lanat
Because there is om and moon star sign in a flag. People like viren kotian. Wont comment.
No real Muslim will hurt himself or hate others.......this is act of terror and cowardness
This practice is non-islamic and started by enemies of Islam.
THEY DEFINITELY DON'T REPRESENT ISLAM.
WE THANK ALLAH FOR GUIDING US TO HIS STRAIGHT PATH.
MAY ALLAH GUIDE THEM TO. AMEEN YA RABBAL ALAMEEN..
Really a pathetic. Uncultured way of behavior. No one can advice them. This is not ISLAM. None of the religion is having this type of act. I feel sorry about innocent children participating this type of worship. May Allah (swt) guide them in true path.
PEOPLE OF HELL.
Allah Ke Momin Bando, ye hamara farz hai ke hamain inko is jahalat se bahar nikale. Aaj ke tatrik me Islam ko hamse hi katra Hai. Jitna ho sakte utna Dawah ki kaam karo, Baki sab Allah pe chod do.
Aur media ko Asli Islam ki Robaro Karvao, take e propoganda nahi kare.
People are shedding the blood and the women are taking photos of the same. Really pathetic. What happened to their intellect? The non-Muslims thinks that this is part of Islam, and if this is the way people does, then they never want to come closer to Islam.
It is unislamic....and shirk.....very bad people
Really stupid. Is there any leader among them who can teach them about this evil practices? Why only martyrdom of grandsons of Prophet (pbuh), why not martyrdom of so many sahabas (p.b.u.t)???
Of course we have to mourn on the death of sahabas (p.b.u.t) but not this way, neither the sahabas (p.b.u.t) never did this way when their compatriot passed away, neither Prophet (p.bu.h) advised to do this way. Then where did these people get the idea of observing martyrdom in this way that we cannot find in the teachings of Islam? Obviously from other religions, may be from Judaism? Really shiaism is a black dot on the face of Islam.
Shaheedon ke naam pe Maatam Nahi manaya jatha hai ye sarasar galath hai
these are black dot on Isalm. Utterly Nonsense.
Prophet Muhammad pbuh said to fast on these days. it is better in the sight of ALLAH. and he never mentioned to harm ourselves as the shia do now a days.
Those do worship as per their desires and not keeping the word of Prophet Muhammad pbuh are a deviant sect.
Muslims believe in all prophets including Moses pbuh...
This day is the day when Moses defeated the mightiest army of his time with the miracle of ALLAH. the parting of the sea.
It is the better for a true muslims to FAST rather than following their own desire in worshiping the man made rituals.
Utter Nonsense!!
One piece of Advice, donate your BLOOD to the Blood Bank on this day instead of spilling it on the road, at least you could save a life or two, which make more sense.
Cheers!!!
Masjid ya Mandir!!!????
Add new comment