Seer’s love jihad task force a political gimmick ahead of polls, says U T Khader

Mangaluru, Dec 22: Congress leader and food minister U T Khader has termed the formation of so called Hindu Task Force a political gimmick ahead of upcoming Karnataka Legislative Assembly polls.

Sri Rajashekharananda Swami of Sri Vajradehi Mutt in Gurupur near Mangaluru recently announced the formation of Hindu Task Force exclusively to prevent so called ‘love jihad’ cases across the state.

Replying to the queries of media persons on the seer’s move, Mr Khader said that many such task forces may be formed as part of election preparations by a party which intends to divide society on communal lines.

He also said that the police department will not allow anyone to take law into their hands in the name of religion or community.

The seer earlier had stated that the main responsibility of the task force is to identify and prevent 'love jihad' at the initial stages itself. “I have held two rounds of meetings with various Hindu organisations. The task force, which will also include 30 women, will be made functional in another week,” the seer said.

The task force will also involve doctors, psychiatrists, social workers and advocates," Rajashekharananda said, adding that the task force will be set up in all districts across the state in the next phase.