Kerala minister rejects Christian organisation's concern over rising cases of love Jihad
Thiruvananthapuram/IBNS: After Hindu right-wing bodies, an influential body of Christian bishops in Kerala has raised concerns over the rising cases of "Love Jihad" which is threatening secular harmony in the state, an NDTV report said.
"It is a matter of concern that 'love jihad' is on the rise in Kerala, posing danger to secular harmony and societal peace in the state," the Syro Malabar Synod in Kochi said in a press statement today, reported the news organisation.
In the statement, Syro Malabar Synod claimed that Christian women were being used for terrorist activities by extremist elements and killed.
The statement cited police findings that have said "half of the 21 Indians who joined ISIS were Christian converts".
"It is a serious matter that many who are not in the official records are being converted and used for terrorist activities. These statistics show that 'love jihad' is not imaginary," the synod, chaired by Cardinal George Alencherry, said, added the NDTV report.
The organisation said that several Christian women have complained of being lured into romantic relationships by Muslim men and later forced to convert.
"It is sad that the police have not acted with caution in such cases," Syro Malabar Synod's press statement read.
However, Kerala Minister Thomas Isaac has rejected Syro Malabar Synod's statement. He claimed that the concerns of the Christian organisation have no factual basis.
He said the Kerala government has not found truth in such allegations after investigating the cases.
"If there are concrete cases or allegations, they will definitely be looked into. But the Kerala government does not believe that there is any basis for such generalisation," Isaac was quoted as saying by NDTV.
On the other hand, senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan has accused the police of hiding facts and demanded that the concerns of Syro Malabar Synod over Love Jihad should be taken seriously.
"We have been raising the issue of love jihad from the very beginning. Now, a strong group from the Christian community, the top bishops of the Church, have warned the church against love Jihad and forced conversions. Their concern is genuine. The Kerala government and the Director-General of Police should place facts before the people on what action they have taken," NDTV quoted Rajasekharan.
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