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.
Bengaluru, Apr 12: The politically weak Muslim community is in fact the second largest group in Karnataka after Dalits, according to a leaked data of a recent caste survey, which finally busted myth of Lingayat and Vokkaliga clout in the state.
Comments
@Thinker, Of course we(Muslims) are 'minority', but far enough to face 'majority' in the election. As the majority are split according into many caste.
Time is no far to unite the Muslims in 1 platform to gain the ultimate political power and i
MA SHA ALLAH Proud to be a MUSLIM! Many more people are there to revert In Sha Allah.. Its Allah who is helping us..
If you notice the statistics, all these communities belong to Hinduism and further these communities are treated as separate or individuals. The culture including worships are also different.
Where as Muslims have though different languages, they are considered as single community because of single method of worship where singular God is their one and only God.
Surprisingly because of this fact, their share is increasing due to attraction to people of other communities. There is no worry in the end, because gradually everyone will know the truth and everyone will belong to the same (that) community, so no difference and no communal hatred at the end.
\ It is HE who has sent the Messenger with Guidance and the religion of Truth, to manifest it Over ALL RELIGIONS, how much ever the unbeliever might not like it ....\" (Qur'an - Ch 9:33)"
Thinker Hell.....
Come out of hell..So called bramins are less in number but ruling all hindus in the name of God. And what else you want???
Beware dear..chaddeezz....
However the MEDIA malign MUSLIM with false images.... Muslims around the world are increasing and it will increase rapid in the coming Years In Shaa ALLAH. The irony is that Many people understood the MEDIA conspiracy did by the IT professional by Cheddi deceivers. Many people learnt more about ISLAM and the reality and the Fact. Muslims are growing not in their own but also many non muslims are converting to ISLAM by learning & getting knowledge of the CREATOR who created us... Those who worship the creator are successful. Those who worship the created things are need to learn who is our CREATOR who CREATED all that exists.
Frankly speaking I trust this portal (i.e. Coastal Digest) right from the beginning only because it published fact news to convey the readers.
Today when I read the above news I am really surprised to know the facts with figures. Even a common man can understand the political power of each community.
Though we (Muslims) constitute a huge number (75 Lac), Very sad know our M.L.A's are just 11 in number which is equal to nothing. Our community is very much backward in political power.
Currently 'Power of Powers' in one and only i.e. \ POLITICAL POWER\". Let all of us think and act for the uplift of the community & our fellow kannadigas by choose a existing political party in fray."
In sha allah soon it will come to No 1 Place
please convey this messege to other media, they have lack of knowledge in getting news
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