Our girls alarmingly falling victim to “Love Jihad”: Blames Kerala Christian community

A forum of Catholic bishops in Kerala claimed that scores of Christian women in Kerala are being lured by the IS through ‘Love Jihad‘ and it accused the police of not taking strict actions against it. They lure young girls into a relationship in the name of Love Jihad and they are further forced to convert to Islam. Young girls get into their bluff. 

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, known as the biggest Christian community in Kerala, said that it all starts with love and leads to conversion and eventually to marriage. People have expressed concern over the ongoing issue during the meeting held last night. People talked about the issue and blamed the state police for not being able to implement effective measures to curb the threat of the practice. The meeting further observed that the practice is sexually exploiting young Christian ladies. They said that while it all starts with love, conversion takes place once the love settles in and it eventually leads to marriage.

A press release from the media wing of the Syro-Malabar Synod, read, “It’s a matter of fact that planned ‘love jihad’ is happening, targetting Christian girls. According to what police have said among the 21 who went to ISIS half of them were Christian converts. It is a serious matter that many who are not in the records are being converted and used for terrorist activities.”

Many are even scared to use the term ‘Love Jihad’ but the Synod has now come out and said the exact words. The report says that young women are being converted to Islam and taken abroad to join ISIS. They are made to live with more than one person and some are even forced to become sex slaves. 

It has been noted that the police are not considering the matter seriously and no effective steps have been taken to control the situation. BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan has said that complaints raised by the Synod should be taken seriously and there should be a probe into the allegations. He said such issues are increasing in the state and the Synod’s complaint that seeks to take strict action should be welcomed. 

The BJP leader said it is a serious allegation and the state government ignoring the issue. Hundreds of complaints have been registered in various police stations across the state in connection with Love Jihad. But no arrests have been made so far in such cases, he alleged.

Writer, historian, and activist Dharam Sikarwar is a very active author The Youth. He writes on national and international issues, environment, politics. He is an avid book reader as well.