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.
Mangaluru, Feb 7: In a shocking revelation, a 19-year-old girl has lodged a complaint against a priest of Sri Durga Parameshwari temple, Kateel, accusing him of raping and threatening to kill her.
Comments
If it is so, why did'nt she came out when the incident took place.
If she was scared then, how she became bold now?
Such kind of blacksheep are found in all religions.
And if the priest is guilty then he must be punished as per law of the land.
I was just trying to think what kind of punishment we can give to this rapist.....first and foremost thing is his wife has been committed suicide...for that he did not get punishment....now raped this girl....she will have to face the society with baby which will come up in the near future....
best punishment for this crime is \hang him till death\""
Backstabbing the nation is the biggest crime. This is apparently not a rape. This is consensual sex. May be that woman is used as a bait by anti nationals.
Dear Viren , After this also do you think he is nationalist ? To become natiolist they should qualify by this type of test? Acche Din Already as promised!!!
.............ne walon ko parameshwari ma ke temple mein kue bitaya....
Looks like the troll,who tell this as their internal matter is hand in gloves with the priest or the blackmailer....he must be grilled
Ha Ha Ha Ha...This is called Viren Joke...Viren please list the people and the Crime which belong to ur Internal onces.So that no one in future will Comment on them.
One is Cleared RAPE and RAPIST is ur Internal.NEXT....
stone him to death if he is really a rapist
shame on u, dont call him priest please for god sake.
look at his face, by seeing his face only we can make out he s big proud, should enquir him properly. he stolen many gold jewellery from temple.
now a days for personal grudge some people will do like this. please enquiry on to this simply putting accused photo without clarification its against the law :)
Mr. Kotian Saheb, those who are raping women and those who are supporting these rapists are National, and those who are opposing these evil act are anti national.
Never mind we are anti national for those Desh aur dharm drohi's.
Women is our mother and our sisters.
this kind of human should be banned to enter temple. really black dot of society,
this should be stone to death if allegation against him are true.
No Bajarangi is speaking exept Kotian ? It is his internal matter,
Does Kotian will give the unborn chid his name as father ?
every religion priest are same. they do one thing and tell us to do other things. they only not following which s must.
Why people started screaming. This is our internal matter. anti nationals need not to interfere.
Temple Priest again....
Those who are intelligent should understand surely its not a divine place were many priest are caught in such evil acts specailly with girls.. If girls are not active & did not recognize the DIVINE option of COVERING their beauty to strangers... More of such incidents will follow in near future by these evil innocent looking foxes...
Now be careful ladies.... you are asking permission to go all the temples. Never mind you can go but go along with your blood relation men. Duniya Kharaab hain. Even you are not safe in temple or mandir. There are many Swamiji's were in India facing these charges. You know very well.
In 1400 years before Prophet Mohammed guided that any women who wish to go outside (such as market, mosque etc.) to accompany their blood relation men.
Inquisitive to see Comments from Kotians and like minded trolls
WAKE UP guys! Cheddi will twist this reality & U honest hindus will accept it as it is... Please dont support the culprits who are involved in crime of our girls.... Protect the girls which ever religions it is... Stop supporting the CULPRITS who alwz twist the realities.
Never FEAR this people - FEAR only the one who created U & ME. When U fear the one who gave us soul... our fear for CREATION will become WEAK>>>
Shameless People....Throw him out of Country.Ban him from India.This is what we call Intolerance.Being a priest in a reputed and Historic place how could he do such shameless act.Innocent girl should get Justice.
Pitty on his 20 year old Daughter.
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