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
Rasheed Bhai......... No individual is above the Nation. Personal attitudes will not damage the whole NATION and its CONSTITUTION. But a Political Party as a whole can make a difference to the NATION. Being a citizen of INDIA, just evaluate the Nation under BJP rule and CONGRESS rule you will get your ANSWER. Thank God.... your family is safe and secure, but think about those families who were the victims of BJP workers. The intolerance in last 4 years has gone from bad to worse. For God's sake, please keep your difference away especially for this State election and for upcoming General Election in Year 2019. All the best to all the Kannadigas and lets give another chance to CONGRESS to keep the injurious political party BJP much far away.
i think muslims should vote for Ashraf . attitudes of U.T is dangerous than bjp , he is selfish , his last five years attitudes shows he may sell entire community for his personel gains... such candidates should be defeated ....
improve ullal means..... he had not done anytihng to his own place then how we can trust him that he will develop karnataka/India........ i am not anti congress dear. but those who did not work for the welfare of the society should not win this election.... anyone maybe...... staying as loyal, honest, visiting funeral is not that he is good MLA or Minister.......
Abbu , what is your thinking brother, to improve ullal, you will vote against congress, really sad with your thinking , thing about India and people of Bharat , if you divide vote against the situation will be same , vote congress to get good results
use common sense please dont vote any muslims indipendent candidate, vote only congress
Some selfish and jealous people are trying to misguide the community. Instead of supporting and guiding the community to the unity, they try to divide just because of their selfish motives. Community should be very vigilant and aware of what is happening. While all secular forces trying hard to stop this Communal party, this kind of selfish people are trying to divide. They harm the community indirectly. Its better not to give an opportunity to our enemy rather than harming our own community. So be aware of this kind of selfish people. Its very easy for all political parties to be communal but secular parties are struggling. Instead of supporting secular parties, these selfish people trying to divide the votes. Very bad. Need to reject him outright.
Under the current state of affairs, we need to think about the whole KARNATAKA STATE and our great nation "INDIA". This JD(S) candidate is BJP's agent and they are not bother about our STATE & NATION. Even though if he win election this time, I can challenge he will never improve ULLAL. He will just fill his pocket and share few penny to BJP. Let all the Kannadigas be SMART and vote for CONGRESS - because the current situation in INDIA had forced all the MUSLIMS to vote only CONGRESS. We all should think that its CONGRESS V/S BJP only. No other parties should exists at this moment of time. Lets build a very strong and smart INDIA.
better vote all muslims for ashraf ... then how there will be vote divide..... UT khadar has not done anything to improve his place ullal
Good news for BJP
If you vote for Ashraf it is like voting for BJP. Do you want Modi and Amit Shah to win?
Be smart and don't vote for Ashraf
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