No misuse of funds by IRF, every penny accounted for: Dr Zakir Naik

Bengaluru, Mar 30: The total number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka has climbed to 88 on Sunday after five more persons tested positive for the lethal infection.

"Five more COVID-19 cases reported in Karnataka taking positive cases in the state to 88," said the State health department.

Of the five, one is a close contact of an earlier confirmed patient and the others are workers of a pharmaceutical company in Mysuru, from where a person had tested positive, the department said.

The country is under a 21-day lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has infected 1,071 people so far.

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, Jul 18: Vendors in Bengaluru are finding it hard to earn a livelihood as the state government has allowed the sale of products only for a few hours each day. The lockdown imposed by the Karnataka government on July 14 will continue till July 22.

Speaking to ANI, Vanajakshi, a local vendor said, "We took loans from banks and small financiers to run our business. But we are finding it tough to pay back as our livelihoods have been hit."
"Because of the lockdown, no one comes to buy and markets remain vacant. There was a time when the Gandhi Nagar market was filled with customers, but now it looks like a vacant playground," she added.

Mythri, an advocate, said, "Look at the conditions of vendors. It's precarious. They do not have any business at all. Even now they have been allowed to sell products till 12 noon, which is not sufficient. It's time for the government to step in and provide assistance. If the Central government can reduce corporate taxes, why can't it help them? At least it will help them pass off these difficult times. "

"They are earning through daily wages. The government imposed lockdown suddenly. Where will they go? The city market in Bengaluru is famous. At least 8,000 people come from slum areas. People here are poor. The lockdown was done suddenly and led to problems for these people," said Congress MLA Zamil Ahmed Khan.

Referring to a recent meeting with the chief minister BS Yediyurappa, he said, "During the meeting called by the CM, I suggested that food kits must be arranged for vendors. The CM said the government is providing rice and wheat but that's not enough."